Administration Guide > Configuration > Settings in Variables > UC_HOSTCHAR_DEFAULT - Host Characteristics

UC_HOSTCHAR_DEFAULT - Host Characteristics

This variable is used to define the settings of one or more agents.

For file transfer settings, the FT Protocol column indicates whether the settings apply for the old and/or the new protocol.

The variable is supplied with the system client 0000. Its settings are valid for the entire AE system and can only be changed from within system client 0000.

The standard host characteristics variable UC_HOSTCHAR_DEFAULT is supplied in the HOST_VARIABLES folder. It is valid for all agents. If an agent uses a different configurationA set of constituent components that make up a system. This includes information on how the components are connected including the settings applied., you can create individual variables that contain any term except for the term DEFAULT.

Agents are assigned to host characteristics in the variable UC_EX_HOSTCHAR.

Key

Value

New start required

FT protocol

ANONYMOUS_FE
ANONYMOUS_FT
ANONYMOUS_JOB

Influences usage of login data for the execution of jobs, FileSystem Events and file transfers.

This setting is only supported for OS/400, z/OS, UNIX and Windows agents.

The Key ANONYMOUS_FE is not supported on z/OS systems.

  • ANONYMOUS_FE - for FileSystem Events
  • ANONYMOUS_FT - for file transfers
  • ANONYMOUS_JOB - for jobs

Allowed values: Y and N (default)

Regardless of the settings that are defined here, the Automation Engine system always checks at the beginning of a job's execution, whether a Login object is available including an entry for the particular platform. If there is no corresponding entry, the job aborts.

This setting can be used to define whether the login data that is stored in the Login object should be used to execute jobs, FileSystem Events and file transfers. The behavior also depends on the settings that are defined in the following INI-file parameters of the agent:

INI file ANONYMOUS_FE
ANONYMOUS_FT
ANONYMOUS_JOB
Windows Y N
[GLOBAL]
logon=0

Jobs and/or file transfers and/or FileSystem Events start under the agent's OS user. The login data that is available in the Login object is not checked.

Attention: AE does not recommend using this setting.

The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.
[GLOBAL]
logon=1
The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.
UNIX    
[GLOBAL]
login_check=no

Jobs and/or file transfers and/or FileSystem Events run with the OS user that is stored in the Login object. The passwordA secret combination of characters for a Automation Engine user. is not checked.

Requirement: The agent must run under a privileged user.

Attention: AE does not recommend using this setting.

The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.
[GLOBAL]
login_check=yes
The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.
OS/400 Y N
[GLOBAL]
CheckLogon=0

Jobs and/or file transfers and/or FileSystem Events start under the agent's OS user. The login data that is available in the Login object is not checked.

Attention: AE does not recommend using this setting.

The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.
[GLOBAL]
CheckLogon=1


The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.
z/OS ANONYMOUS_FT
ANONYMOUS_JOB
 
  Y N

[GLOBAL]
askRACF=1,3,5,7,9,11,13 or 15

Jobs and/or file transfers and/or FileSystem Events start under the agent's OS user. The login data that is available in the Login object is not checked.

The Key ANONYMOUS_FE is not supported on z/OS systems.

The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.
[GLOBAL]
askRACF=2,3,6,710,11,14 or 15
The login data that is stored in the Login object is used.

For file transfers, the following privilege setting in the User object is decisive:

FileTransfer: Start without Login object specified

If this privilege is available, file transfers can be processed although no Login object has been assigned to them.
Requirement: ANONYMOUS_FT=Y and logon=0 (Windows) or login_check=no (UNIX).

For FileSystem Events the corresponding privilege is decisive:

FileSystem Event: Start without Login object specified


If this privilege is available, FileSystem Events can be processed although no Login object has been assigned to them.
Requirement: ANONYMOUS_FE=Y and logon=0 (Windows) or login_check=no (UNIX).

Agent Old and new

APPLICATION_LOGIN

The name of a Login object.

The login data of the Login object is used for:

  • PS agents: Login data for PeopleSoft
  • Windows and UNIX agents: E-mail connection through SMTP

Default value: ERP_LOGIN

Agent

 
BACKUP_RETENTION_CHECK

The time at which the backup folder's lifetime will be checked.

All files and directories that have been stored longer than is specified in BACKUP_RETENTION_LIFETIME will be deleted.

The backup folder stores the files of the file rollback of jobs and file transfers. You can define the backup folder using the Agent variable UC_EX_PATH_BACKUP in the agent's INI file.

In the Rollback tab, you can specify the files that should be copied to the backup folder. They are stored automatically when a Job object or FileTransfer object is processed.

Only affects Windows and Unix agents.

Allowed values: Valid time in the format HH:MM
Default value: "00:00:00"

Agent  
BACKUP_RETENTION_LIFETIME

The life time in days for the content of the backup folder.

In this key, you can determine how long files and directories will be stored in the backup folder. The system checks this setting daily at the time that is specified in BACKUP_RETENTION_CHECK. All files and directories that have been stored in the backup folder for more than the specified days will be deleted.

Only affects Windows and Unix agents.

Allowed values: "0" - "99"
Default value: "14"

Agent  

BLOCK_ON_LOST

This entry can be used to define the action that a workflow should take if one of its jobs changes its status to ENDED_LOST.

Allowed values: YES (default value) and NO

YES - The workflow blocks.
NO - The workflow does not automatically block.

No

 

DISCONNECT_AFTER_FT

This defines whether the connection between the agents ends after a file transfer.

YES - The connection ends after the file transfer (default value).
NO - The connection does not end after file transfer.

This parameter only affects the connection but not the execution of the file transfer. The system always checks whether there is a connection to the destination agent BEFORE the file transfer starts. A connection is established if it is not available.

In the 32-bit UNIX agent for SunSolaris, the number of filter descriptors (open connections and files) is limited to 253. Keep this in mind when you execute jobs / file transfers and when you use the setting DISCONNECT_AFTER_FT = "NO". Automic recommends using the value "YES".

This setting is only checked if you use the old file transfer protocol. Using the new protocol means that the connection is always automatically terminated.

Agent

Old
EVENT_CHECKINTERVAL

The time interval in seconds during which the agent checks the conditions FILE_CHANGED and FILE_STABLE in its FileSystem events.

Allowed values: 60 - 100000
Default value: 60

If you select FILE_CHANGED or FILE_STABLE in a FileSystem event, this interval is used for all condition checks.

The interval increases automatically if checking a condition takes longer than the specified interval.

Agent  

EXECUTE_ON_ASSIGNMENT
EXECUTE_ON_END
EXECUTE_ON_LOST
EXECUTE_ON_START

You can use these keys to start any executable object in the following situations.

If the agent starts and ends:

  • EXECUTE_ON_END - agent ends
  • EXECUTE_ON_START - agent starts

For tasks with undefined ends:

If you change an agent's client rights

  • EXECUTE_ON_ASSIGNMENT

Default value: No object starts.

The object is searched and activated in all objects in which the agent is authorized to do so. System client 0000 is exempted, objects must not be activated in it. EXECUTE_ON_ASSIGNMENT searches all clients in which an authorization has been changed.

The object starts under the user UC/UC which is available in system client 0000. Therefore, do not assign authorizations at the object level.

The object that is defined here for agents should wait the time specified in RECONNECT_TIME using the script statement :WAIT. Afterwards you can use SYS_HOST_ALIVE in order to verify whether the agent has logged on again and react accordingly. 

Note that EXECUTE_ON_START and EXECUTE_ON_END can be used by the object to read the script variable &uc_ex_host from the read buffer. This variable contains the name of the agent and can be used in the object's script.

For example:

:READ &uc_ex_host,,
:
PRINT &uc_ex_host

EXECUTE_ON_ASSIGNMENT can be used to read the following variables:

  • &uc_ex_host - agent name
  • &uc_ex_auth_mode# - Type of modification
    Allowed values:
    "AUTO" - The modification was made using an Agent/Client Assignment object.
    "MANUAL" - The modification was made directly in the Agent object.
  • &uc_ex_auth# - New rights in the form of a 3-digit string (missing rights are displayed with "n").
    Example: "RnX" - The agent now possesses the right to read and execute.
    Use the script function STR_CUTto access the individual digits.

Agent

 
FE_VERSION

Sets the version of the file event functionality of the AE system, which determines the capabilities of the system's agents.

Allowed values: "1" or "2"

Default value: "2"

In order to execute a FileSystem Event object with a UNIX agent under a different user specified in a Login object, this key has to be set to "2".

   
FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MAX,
FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MIN,
FT_ASYNC_QUIT_NUM

The settings for synchronous / asynchronous transfers between a sending and a receiving agent of file transfers. Asynchronous transfers are the default setting.

Synchronous transfer: Data packages are only sent when the receipt of sent packages has been confirmed. Sender and receiver adjust their transmission speeds. A synchronous behavior is achieved when the setting FT_ASYNC_QUIT_NUM equals FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MAX.

Asynchronous transfer: Data packages are sent although confirmations are still missing for sent packages. In doing so, data can be transferred faster because a faster sender or a slower connection are used more efficiently. The agents' TCP/IP buffer (INI-file parameter: SendBufferSize= and RecvBufferSize=) should be increased accordingly.
An asynchronous behavior is achieved when FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MAX is a multiple of FT_ASYNC_QUIT_NUM.

The higher the value of FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MIN, the more the receiving agent will be unburdened when FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MAX has been reached.

These options are only effective in OS/400, NSK, UNIX, Windows and z/OS agents.

FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MAX
Maximum number of non-confirmed data packages that the sender sends to the receiving agent.
Minimum value: 1, default value: 60, maximum value: 100

FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MIN
Number of non-confirmed data packages as of which the sender sends them to the receiver.
Minimum value: 0, default value: 30, maximum value: 50

FT_ASYNC_QUIT_NUM
Number of data packages that are confirmed per receipt.
Minimum value: 0, default value: 5, maximum value: 50

Note that the value that is specified as the MIN setting must not exceed the MAX setting.

For example:

FT_ASYNC_QUIT_MIN / MAX / NUM:
0 / 1 / 1: Synchronous file transfer
0 / 10 / 5: Weak asynchronous transfer. The sending agent may send a maximum of 10 non-confirmed data packages. If the maximum has been reached, it waits until all receipts have been confirmed before it continues the sending process.
30 / 60 / 5: Strong asynchronous transfer. The sender may send a maximum of 60 non-confirmed data packages to the receiver. Receipts are confirmed per 5 packages. The sender always waits until 30 non-confirmed data packages are open before it starts the data transfer.

No New

FT_COMPRESS

The compression type for file transfers.

Allowed values: NO (default value) and NORMAL

Agent

Old and new
FT_CONNECTION_TIMEOUT

The duration in seconds after which an unused file transfer connection between two agents is automatically terminated.

Default value: 300 seconds

Automic recommends increasing this setting's default value (5 min) if you transfer huge files (> 3,8 GB) from NSK. Otherwise, the connection could end prematurely.

Agent New
FT_REPORT_TIME

Time interval in seconds in which the agent sends report blocks.

Minimum value: 1
Default value: 60

Agent New
FT_RESTARTINFO_CHECK

The time in UTC at which the life time of file transfer restart information is checked. It is checked on a daily basis.

This restart information is stored locally in the agents temp directory in the form of StatusStore files (ending *.sts). These files are deleted after the life time that has been specified using the key FT_RESTARTINFO_LIFETIME .

Default value: 0:00:00

Agent New
FT_RESTARTINFO_LIFETIME

The number of days the restart information of file transfers is stored (life time).

Minimum value: 1
Default value: 14 days

Agent New
FT_RESTARTINFO_INTERVAL

The time interval in seconds in which the agents store the restart points during a file transfer.

Minimum value: 1
Default value: 60 seconds

Agent New
FT_STATUS_INTERVAL

The time interval in seconds in which the agents send the status information of file transfers to the Server.

The status of file transfers is displayed in the task's detail window.

Minimum value: 1
Default value: 60 seconds

Agent New
FT_USE_MD5

MD5 checksum usage that allows for the files that have been transferred in file transfers to be checked. This method ensures that the transferred files comply with the source files if the file transfer is restarted.

For performance reasons, the MD5 checksum is not calculated for files that are smaller than 1MB. This behavior is always valid, regardless of the definitions that have been made in this setting.

Allowed values: Y (default value) and N

Agent New

JOB_CHECKINTERVAL

Job execution is periodically checked by the agents. You define the time interval for this check in this entry.

Minimum value: 1
Default value: 60 seconds

There is no upper limit for this setting. The default value is used if 0 is defined.

You may reduce this interval to less than 60 seconds, in case the check for job statuses shall be executed in shorter intervals.
Be aware though, that a smaller interval than 60 seconds will increase the load of EXSTAJ messages, thus affecting server performance.

Agent

 

KEEP_ALIVE

The time interval for the periodic Automation Engine check.

Allowed values: 60 and above
Default value: 600 seconds

The value that is defined here must not be less than 60 seconds. Otherwise, the default value is used.

The specified value must also result in complete minutes (such as 60, 120, 180). If you use a different value, it is rounded up to the next minute (for example, a value of 99 seconds results in 120 seconds).

A fixed value of 60 seconds is always added to the specified value. Therefore, the actual minimum is 120 seconds. The System Overview always displays the value that has been set by using KEEP_ALIVE.

(see also: System Overview)

Agent

 
LOG_TO_DATABASE

This stores agent logs to the AE databaseA database is an organized collection of data including relevant data structures..

Allowed values: Y (default value) and N

Y - The agent sends its log-file messages also to the Automation Engine which stores it in the Agent object's report.
N - The agent does not send log messages to the Automation Engine. Doing so improves the AE system's performance.

Agent  
MAX_FILE_COUNT

The maximum number of files that should be retrieved in FileSystem events.

Allowed values: 0 - 100000
Default value: 1000

0 - The number of files to be found is not limited.

If wildcard characters are used or sub-directories are included in the search, a file can be found several times. For performance reasons, you can specify a maximum number of files that should be found.

For example: 100 files

The agent only checks in the first 100 found files whether the specified condition applies and, if applicable, triggers !Process.

Agent  

MAX_REPORT_SIZE

This entry contains the maximum number of report blocks that should be transferred to the AE database.

Allowed values: 1 - 10000
Default value: 120 blocks

The key REPORT_BLKSIZE can be used to specify the maximum number of bytes used in a block.

For example:

Block size: 8000 bytes
Report blocks: 120 blocks

This definition results in a maximum report size of 937 KB.

Define whether the agent should store the report in the AE database and/or in a file in the host-specific tabs of jobs. The report is truncated and stored to the database if it exceeds the maximum specified number of blocks. If only the option "Job report" - "Database" has been selected, the file is deleted on the agent computer after it has successfully been transferred.

An incomplete report is stored in the database if it exceeds the maximum number of blocks. The specification that has been made in MAX_REPORT_SIZE is not considered when the job report is stored as a file. In this case, the complete report is stored in the file system.

(see also: System Overview)

Agent

 

RECONNECT_TIME

This entry defines the time interval during which the agent tries to establish a connection. This refers to the establishment of a connection in case of a restart or when the connection has been ended.

Allowed values: 1 - 3600
Default value: 600 seconds

This setting has a different impact on the Windows and OS/400 agents. These two platform agents always only after the RECONNECT _TIME will try to reconnect.
All other agents the first time will try to reconnect immediately.

Agent

 

REPORT_BLKSIZE

This entry contains the size of a report block.

Allowed values: 1 - 8000
Default value: 8000 Bytes

Agent

 

REPORT_TIME

You use REPORT_TIME to set the time interval during which the agent sends the logging to the AE system.

Allowed values: 1 - 3600
Default value: 60 seconds

Agent

 
VAR_TIMEOUT

The maximum time in seconds for resolving Variables objects with the sources BACKEND and SQL.

Backend variables run a command on an OS (such as Windows or UNIX) and supply the result as values. SQL variables process SQLcommand on an external database and return its results.
In the setting VAR_TIMEOUT, you determine the time limit for these actions. If this limit is exceeded, processing and the task that uses the variable are canceled.

Allowed values: 1 to 600
Default value: 600

Agent  
WORKLOAD_MAX_FT

The maximum number of resources that the agent provides for file transfers.

Allowed values: -1 to 100000
Default values: -1

The value -1 corresponds to UNLIMITED which means that the resource settings are ignored when the file transfer is processed.

Values above 100000 are read as -1.

 The value for WORKLOAD_MAX_FT can also temporarily be set in the System Overview.

No  
WORKLOAD_MAX_JOB

The maximum number of resources that the agent provides for jobs.

Allowed values: -1 to 100000
Default value: -1

The value -1 corresponds to "UNLIMITED", which means that resource settings are ignored when the job is processed.

Values above 100000 are read as -1.

The value for WORKLOAD_MAX_JOB can also temporarily be set in the System Overview.

Agent  

See also:

Overview of all variables in Table Form
Variable