Starting and Stopping TA Components

To operate TA, ensure that the Master, Client Manager and agent are running on their respective machines. Once installed, the Master, its database, the Client Manager and agents should remain running. If any of these components stop, you can restart them on the Windows platform by using the TA Service Manager. If you are running fault tolerance, you also need to start the Backup Master and fault monitor.

The Unix platform does not use the TA Service Manager. Controlling the Unix Master and its components is done from the command line of the specific machine. The commands for starting, stopping and checking the status of the Unix Master, Client Manager and agent are noted.

TA Service Manager

The TA Service Manager is a central point of control for stopping and starting TA services on the Windows platform. Any TA component on the Windows platform running as a service can be manipulated from the service manager. Through the TA Service Manager, you can also configure various aspects of how the component service runs.

To display the TA Service Manager, click Windows, and choose Tidal Automation >TA Service Manager.

The dialog contains these elements:

Service – Choose the TA service you wish to start or stop.

Start – Click to start a service.

Stop – Click to stop a service.

The selected service’s status displays at the bottom of the TA Service Manager.

Service Configuration Dialog

Accessing the Service Configuration Dialog

Clicking Browse while in the initial dialog of the TA Service Manager opens a Service Configuration dialog where settings for the Master or other services can be adjusted.

Service Configuration – Service Tab

The Service tab contains these elements:

Name – The name of the Windows system service.

Display Name – The label for the service displayed in the main dialog of the TA Service Manager.

Path – The full path to the binary file associated with the service.

Parameters – The parameters, if any, applied to executing the binary.

Startup – Configures how the service starts. There are three options:

Automatic – The service starts upon every reboot.

Manual – The service is only started when you manually start it, for example, through the TA Service Manager.

Disabled – The service will not start as long as the Disabled option is selected.

Service Configuration – Logon Tab

The Logon tab contains these elements:

System Account (LocalSystem) – The service runs under the standard system account for services.
Allow Service to interact with Desktop – The service runs with the local desktop.
Other Account – When the Other Account option is selected, you must type the name of the account under which you want the service to run.
Password – Type the password for the account specified in the Other Account field.
Confirm Password – Retype the password.

Service Configuration – Dependencies Tab

The Dependencies tab is only available when the service is stopped. You create services dependencies on this tab. Click a service listed in the Available Services column and click arrow to move it to the Depends On column.

Master

Controlling the Master

Normally, after installation and after a reboot, the TA Master is automatically started. On Unix, the Master is NOT automatically started. You can check the status, start, and stop the Master service manually from the TA Service Manager for a Windows Master or from the command line for a Unix Master.

Note: If you are using an Oracle or MSSQL Server, ensure that your database is running prior to starting the Master service.

Checking the Status of the Master

To check the status of the Master:

Unix: Enter the command: ./tesm status from the command line of the Master machine.

Windows:
1. Click Windows Start on the machine with the Master installation, and then Programs>Tidal Automation >TA Service Manager to display the TA Service Manager.
2. Verify that the Scheduler Master displays in the Service field. The Master status displays at the bottom of the TA Service Manager.

Starting the Master

To start the Master:

Unix: Enter the command: ./tesm status from the command line of the Master machine.

Windows
1. Click Windows Start on the machine with the Master installation, and then Programs>Tidal Automation >TA Service Manager to display the TA Service Manager.
2. Verify that the Scheduler Master displays in the Service field.
3. Click Start.

Stopping the Master

To stop the Master:

Unix: Enter the command: ./tesm status from the command line of the Master machine.

Windows:
1. Click Windows Start menu on the machine with the Master installation, then open Programs > Tidal Automation > TA Service Manager to display the TA Service Manager.
2. Verify that the Scheduler Master displays in the Service field.
3. Click Stop.

Defining a Master Time Zone

You can define time zones where target application environments are based and schedule a job or job group across a different time zone. For example, if the Master associated with your job is based in the PST time zone and you want the job to run in an alternative time zone, you can choose the defined time zone. The Master’s internal process adjusts to the scheduled time or DST (Daylight Savings Times) period differences.

To configure the Master time zone for a job:

Click the Activity menu.
Open System Configuration to display the System Configuration dialog.

Open the Timezone tab.

Click Add or Edit to display the Timezone for Job Definition dialog.

Enter a unique name for the time zone in the Name field.

Click the time zone on the Timezone dropdown list. This step is not applicable if you choose the Use Agent Timezone option.

These fields are populated based on the time zone selected from the Timezone field:

Timezone Full Name – Displays the long name for the Java built-in time zone.

Master Timezone Offset – Displays the time differences between the Master time zone and the selected Java time zone.

UTC/GMT Timezone Offset – Displays the time differences between the standard UTC/GMT time zone and the selected Java time zone.

Current in DST Timezone Period – This option is checked if current time falls in the Daylight Saving Time (DST) period for the selected time zone.

DST Time Differences – Displays the time duration to be added to the selected time zone if it falls in DST period.

Click OK.

To add multiple time zones simultaneously, use Import.

Agents

You can start and stop agents, check agent status, change an agent’s job limit and perform other agent-related tasks in your network at any time as described in this section.

For Windows agents, before starting or stopping the agent, check the agent’s status using the TA Service Manager.

Changing an Agent’s Job Limit

You can change an agent’s job limit to specify the number of jobs that can run on it concurrently. You can also control the number of jobs running concurrently using queues. Refer to Controlling Production to learn more ways of controlling job execution.

To change an agents job limit:

Click Administration > Connections on the Navigation pane to display the Connections pane with the licensed computers.

Double-click the agent to edit or choose the agent and click Edit on the TA toolbar to display the agent’s connection definition.

Click the General tab if it is not showing.

Click the Job Limit field on the General tab and change the job limit to the desired value. See your agent-related documentation on setting the job limit.

Click OK.

Enabling/Disabling an Agent

You can disable an agent if you do not want it to run jobs submitted by TA . If a job tries to run on a disabled agent, its status changes to Agent Disabled

To enable or disable an agent:

Click Administration > Connections on the Navigation pane to display the Connections pane.

Double-click the agent to edit or choose the agent and click Edit on the TA toolbar to display the agent’s connection definition.

Do one of these:
- To enable the agent, click the Enabled option.
- To disable the agent, clear the Enabled option.

Click OK.

Starting the Agent (Windows)

To start the agent:

Click Windows Start and then click Programs>Tidal Automation >TA Service Manager.

Click the correct agent if it is not displayed in the Service field and click Start. The light will turn green when the agent starts.

Stopping the Agent (Windows)

To stop the agent:

Click Windows Start and then click Programs > Tidal Automation > TA Service Manager.

Click the correct agent if it is not displayed in the Service field and click Stop. The light will turn red when the agent stops.

Checking Agent Status (Windows)

To check the agent status:

Click Windows Start on the agent machine and then open Programs > Tidal Automation > TA Service Manager to display the TA Service Manager.
Click the Service drop-down list and choose the agent you wish to check so that it displays in the Service field. At the bottom of the TA Service Manager, the status of the selected service displays.

Starting, Stopping, and Checking Agent Status (Unix)

To start, stop and check the status of a Unix agent, use these commands:

Start a Unix agent:
```
./tagent <agent name> start
```
Stop a Unix agent:
```
./tagent <agent name> stop
```
Check the status of a Unix agent:
```
./tagent <agent name> status
```

Managing Agent Time Zone

You can assign a time zone for agent and adapter connection. By using this new time zone assignment, the Master can accurately calculate the time difference between the Master and agent without relying on the agent. For example, if the agent time zone is set in Central European Time (CET) and if the Master time zone is set in Pacific Standard Time (PST), then the Master would accurately calculate the time difference between the Master and the agent. This calculation is further used to adjust the job launch time during Daylight saving Time (DST).

Defining Agent Time Zone

To define Agent Time Zone:

Click Activities > System Configuration to display the System Configuration dialog.
Open the Timezone tab. The existing Master time zones are displayed.
Click Use Agent Timezone.

Click Add. The Timezone for Job Definition dialog is displayed.

Enter a unique name for the job time zone on the Name field.

Choose a time zone from the Timezone dropdown list.

These fields are populated based on the time zone you have selected from the Timezone field:
- Timezone Full Name – Displays the long name for the Java built-in time zone.
- Master Timezone Offset – Displays the time differences between the Master time zone and the selected Java time zone.
- UTC/GMT Timezone Offset – Displays the time differences between the standard UTC/GMT time zone and the selected Java time zone.
- Current in DST Timezone Period – This option is checked if current time falls in the Daylight Saving Time (DST) period for the selected time zone.
- DST Time Differences – Displays the time duration to be added to the selected time zone if it falls in DST period.

Click OK. The new timezone details are displayed in the Job Timezones grid. To add multiple time zones simultaneously, use Import.

Click the Navigation pane, choose Administration > Connections > Add to display the Connection Definition dialog.
Click the Scheduling Time Zone dropdown list, choose the time zone added in the System Configuration > Timezone tab. The agent uses this time zone to launch associated jobs.

If the Use Master Timezone option in the System Configuration > Timezone tab is selected, the Scheduling Time Zone list is disabled in the Connection Definition dialog.

Navigate to Administration > Connections to display the Connections pane. The new agent connection is displayed along with the Scheduling Time Zone field.

Recompile either the associated agent and adapter jobs or the future day schedule of impacted jobs so that the modified time zone in the Scheduling Time Zone field will take effect.

The Use Agent Timezone feature is not supported for agents that are integrated with Agent Lists.

Applying Use Agent Timezone Functionality

To apply this Use Agent Timezone functionality, make sure that these conditions are met:

If you are upgrading to a TA version with this feature, first configure the time zone before scheduling and then configure the agent connection.
Upgrades should be done when the Master and the configured time zone are at least +/- 48 hours from the DST day. Also, recompile future days that are greater than tomorrow.

Client Manager

Controlling the Client Manager

You can check the status, start, and stop the client manager manually from the TA Service Manager or from the command line.

Checking the Status of Client Manager

To check the status of Client Manager:

Unix: Enter the command: ./cm status from the command line of the Master machine.
Windows
1. Click Windows Start on the machine with the Master installation, and then Programs > Tidal Automation > TA Service Manager to display the TA Service Manager.
2. Verify that the Client Manager displays in the Service field. The Client Manager status displays at the bottom of the TA Service Manager.

Starting Client Manager

To start the Client Manager:

Unix: Enter the command: ./cm start from the command line of the Master machine.
Windows:
1. Click Windows Start on the machine with the Master installation, and then Programs > Tidal Automation > TA Service Manager to display the TA Service Manager.
2. Verify that Client Manager displays in the Service field.
3. Click Start.

Stopping Client Manager

To stop Client Manager:

Unix: Enter the command: ./cm stop from the command line of the Master machine.
Windows:
1. Click Windows Start on the machine with the Client Manager installation, and then Programs > Tidal Automation > TA Service Manager to display the TA Service Manager.
2. Verify that Client Manager displays in the Service field.
3. Click Stop.

Fault Monitor

The Fault Monitor folder displays in the Navigation pane only if you have installed and configured fault tolerance for Scheduler. See the Fault Tolerance Guide for information about how to configure Client Manager for fault monitor.

To see the Fault Monitor folder, you must be properly licensed for fault tolerance and your security policies must allow access to the fault monitor option.

Accessing the Fault Monitor

Click Operations > Fault Monitor on the Navigation pane to display the Fault Monitor pane.

Buttons

This window contains these buttons:

Pause – Pauses the scrolling display of fault monitor messages.
Save – Saves the messages displayed in the Fault Monitor pane to a file.
Print – Prints the messages displayed in the Fault Monitor pane.

Context Menu

Various functions for the fault monitor can be accessed from a context menu. Right-click anywhere in the Navigation pane or the Fault Monitor pane to display a context menu.

This context menu contains these options:

Pause Fault Monitor – Pauses the display of messages in the Fault Monitor pane. Click Resume Fault Monitor to resume the display of messages.
Stop Fault Monitor – Stops the fault monitor. When you click this option, a Confirm dialog displays. Click Yes to continue and No to abort. When the fault monitor is not running, failover is not possible.
Switch To Backup – Switches to the Backup Master. When you click this option, a Confirm dialog displays. Click Yes to continue and No to abort. Use this option before doing planned maintenance on your Primary Master.

Stop Backup and FaultMon – Stops the operation of the Backup Master and the fault monitor. When you click this option, a Confirm dialog displays. Click Yes to continue and No to abort. When the Backup Master and fault monitor are stopped, the Primary Master continues without being fault tolerant.
Stop All – Stops the operation of the Primary Master, the Backup Master and the fault monitor. When you click this option, a Confirm dialog displays. Click Yes to continue and No to abort.
Disconnect from FaultMon – Disconnects the machine from the fault monitor. New messages no longer display. The options in the Fault Monitor are still available. Click Connect to Fault Monitor to reconnect to the fault monitor.
Print – Prints the messages displayed in the Fault Monitor pane.

Save As – Saves the messages displayed in the Fault Monitor pane as a file.

Clear – Clears the Fault Monitor pane of all displayed messages.