Patent ID: 8001081

Claim:
A method of synchronizing more than one data item comprising: determining, by using a computer, if a first data item and a second data item have matching identities and conflicting priorities after a synchronization process between a first node and a second node, wherein said determining if said first data item and said second data item have conflicting priorities comprises utilizing a first pedigree stored at said first node and associated with said first data item and a second pedigree stored at said second node associated with said second data item and wherein the first node and the second node are non-reference datasets; determining if an indication has been made that said first data item is desirable over said second data item, provided said first and second have matching identities and conflicting priorities; indicating said first data item has priority over said second data item, provided said indication has been made that said first data is desirable over said second data item, and deleting said second data item and storing said first data item, in response to said indicating said first data item has priority over said second data time, wherein the deleting the second item by utilizing a determined pedigree of sync counters to designate which data items to remove, wherein said indicating said first data item has priority over said second data item comprises advancing a synchronization counter value of said first pedigree, wherein said indicating said first data item has priority over said second data item further comprises merging said second pedigree with said first pedigree.