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title: "Synchronising an Event-Based Irrigation Program"
canonical: "https://farmconnect.docs.rubiconwater.com/space/FCD/2066612281/Synchronising%20an%20Event-Based%20Irrigation%20Program"
format: markdown
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> Macro (toc)

# What Does Synchronization Do?

Synchronizing an event-based program downloads the program to the gateway which manages program execution by listening for events and sending commands to devices.

# The Synchronization Process

**Step 1**

Click the **Synchronize** button in the Irrigation Programs menu. 

> ℹ️ **Note**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ The **Synchronize **button is not enabled unless the program start time is at least ten minutes in the future.

**Step 2 **

Check the program and then click **Synchronize** **Program**. Your program will be downloaded to the gateway which will control program execution. This process might take some time. Once it is finished it will display feedback at the bottom of the dialogue. 

> ⚠️ **NOTE: **A synchronized program does not mean that the devices in the program are clear of alarms that may prevent the program running as expected.  Please check the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2022342699](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2022342699) page before synchronizing a program and consult the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCKB/pages/2205876303](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCKB/pages/2205876303) if required to resolve any alarms.

## What to do if Synchronization Fails

Although synchronization does not directly write presets to field devices, it does check the communication status of any included devices. If any devices are not communicating, you will see a warning message in red in the synchronization dialog. 

In this case, either correct the communication errors or remove those devices from the program and resynchronize.

# Synchronization States

Synchronisation status is indicated by the colour of the Synchronise button. The statuses are:

| **Colour** | **Status** | **Description** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| :syncBtnBlue:  Blue | **Ready to Sync** | The program is valid but has not yet been synchronized. |
| :syncBtnRed:  Red | **Out Of Sync** | Out of sync programs have a start time allocated but the presets out in the field do not match the presets defined in the program for the given start time. |
| :syncBtnGreen:  Green | **Synchronized** | Synchronized programs have a start time allocated, and field devices have presets loaded. The presets in the field are as defined in the program. |
| :syncBtnGrey:  Grey | **Program Invalid** | The program is not synchronized or is incomplete. This could be due to a missing start time, a start time in the past, or a program that has not had any actions defined for it. |

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