The following contains information on new features, improvements and modifications of Automation EngineThis component drives an Automation Engine system and consists of different types of server processes. version 11.2 and its Service Packs.
[What's New] [Service Packs] [New Functions and Improvements] [Notes for Upgrade Installation][Bug Fixes] [Known Issues]
Introduction to the new Zero Downtime Upgrade feature (video):
[What's New] [Service Packs] [New Functions and Improvements] [Notes for Upgrade Installation] [Bug Fixes] [Known Issues]
Service Packs include error corrections. It is possible though, that a Service Pack contains minor changes. If so, they are listed in this section.
FileTransfer |
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Parameter to Suppress FileTransfer Reports for Windows Agents As of version 11.2.1 of the Automation Engine, the ft_suppress_reportA report provides more detailed information about a task's execution or a component.= parameter in Windows agents' INI file allows you to determines whether to suppress file transferTransfers files from one computer to another. A particular Automation Engine object type (FileTransfer object). reports. |
[What's New] [Service Packs] [New Functions and Improvements] [Notes for Upgrade Installation] [Bug Fixes] [Known Issues]
General |
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ONE Installer for Basic System Installation implemented As of version 11.2, the Automation Engine can also be installed using the new ONE Installer. On supported platforms you now are able to install a basic AE system with databaseA database is an organized collection of data including relevant data structures., ServiceManagerA program that facilitates the starts and stops of Automation Engine components., UserInterfaceThis is the Automation Engine's graphical user interface. [Formerly called the "Rich Client", "RichGUI" and "Dialog Client."] and initial data working out-of-the-box. |
Zero Downtime Upgrade As of version 11.2, it is possible to upgrade an Automation Engine system without any downtime. Users need a new privilege in their respective User objectAutomation Engine controlled activities and processes are structured in the form of objects. See also: Task settings to be set. New Key in UC_SYSTEM_SETTINGS To enable the Zero Downtime Upgrade, the new key ZERO_DOWNTIME_UPGRADE in the system variableIt stores or retrieves values dynamically at runtime. An individual Automation Engine object type. UC_SYSTEM_SETTINGS has been implemented. Setting it to "Y" enables the system to be upgraded using the functionPre-defined run book template in the Automation Engine. One single step only, e.g. Start Windows Service, Copy file,… Zero Downtime Upgrade from the System menu. New User Privilege for Zero Downtime Upgrade In the User object, Privilege tab, a new privilege has been implemented, called "Execute Zero Downtime Upgrade". This privilege has to be checked, if a userIn the Automation Engine, a user is an instance of a User object, and generally the user is a specific person who works with Automic products. The User object is assigned a user ID and then a set of access rights to various parts of the Automation Engine system and product suite. These access rights come in the form of Automation Engine authorizations and privileges, Decision user roles and EventBase rights and ARA web application object rights. You can manage all these centrally in the ECC user management functions. See also, Unified user management. shall be able to conduct the new function. In that case the menu item for such an upgrade will be visible to that user in the System menu. Script Function MODIFY_SYSTEM extended In order to switch the processing direction during a Zero Downtime Upgrade or finalize the Zero Downtime Upgrade phase, the scriptA particular Automation Engine object type. function MODIFY_SYSTEM has been extended by a new actionActions are predefined building blocks for recurring activities. They are commonly used for managing third party systems or in deployment scenarios. and corresponding values. |
New Exporting of Referenced Objects Beginning with v11.2, you can recursively export objects and their referenced objects. Objects with referenced objects include workflows or PromptSets . The UserInterface and the script element EXPORT have been modified accordingly. |
New Maximum Import Size Limit for XML Files The size limit for XML fileA format for imports and exports. An XML file contains object structures. imports has been increased: Files may now be up to 30 MBs in size, and the setting in the system variable UC_SYSTEM_SETTNGS, MAX_IMPORT_SIZE, may now be 30720 (KB), which is also its new default value. |
New Function - Change Primary Work Process As of v11.2, it is possible to change the character of a WP (work processA part of the component Automation Engine. It is responsible for an Automation Engine system's processes (see also 'Primary work process').). In the System OverviewThe UserInterface window that contains information about the Automation Engine system. of the Automation Engine you may choose one of the active work processes and by right-clicking it, select the option in the context menu "Change Server mode to PWP", thus making this work process the primary. |
New JMX based Monitoring - External Monitoring Interface (EMI) Implemented As of v11.2 the new External Monitoring Interface has been implemented, based on Java and the use of MBeans. The older version based on SNMP is deprecated at the same time. Automic recommends to use the stateThe state a package or a task currently is in.-of-the-art technology EMI instead. |
Trace Added for the AE DB Change and AE DB UnloadUtility for unloading the Automation Engine database. Utilities You can now set the trace level for the program flow of the utility in the:
The possibility to set different trace levels enables detailed trace information. The levels should be set in close cooperation with Automic support. |
Reporting Tool Start Easier The Reporting Tool's graphical interface has been made easier, as have the prerequisites. The same command for UNIX and Windows start the interface, which also has been enhanced. |
New Script Elements :IFVERS [:ELSEVERS] :ENDVERS - Pre-compiler instructions for skipping script blocks depending on the installed Automation Engine version. |
ServiceManager Utility for UNIX No Longer Needs to Be Started with SetUID Bit Due to a fix added to AE 11.2.0, 11.1.2, 10.0.6, and 9.13.0, the ServiceManager utility for UNIX no longer needs to be started with SetUID Bit. |
Agents |
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New Parameter in SAP Script Element R3_CREATE_OUTPUT_REQUEST A new parameter has been introduced to the script element R3_CREATE_OUTPUT_REQUEST, called LAYOUT. This parameter defines the print format of the spool request. The format mainly defines the page format such as the maximum number of lines and columns on one printed page. |
Additional Agent Trace Options Allow You to Match a String From an Error Message and Automatically Stop Tracing As of version 11.2, Additional Trace Options allow you to configure string matching to stop tracing when a string you define is found in an error message. These new options are also available for the Script function :SET_UC_SETTINGS. |
Objects |
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New Period Object to Dynamically Define Detailed 'Execute Recurring' Options You may use a Period object to determine detailed time frames or execution periods for executable objects, when their execution is being modified by the option "Execute Recurring". The advantage of this object is to have settings available that may be reused for other executable objects. |
New Function in SAP Jobs allows Execution with different Credentials The SAP Job object now provides the possibility to run an SAP jobAn Automation Engine object type for a process that runs on a target system. with Login credentials defined by a Login object in the Attribute tab of the SAP job. A new checkbox is available and if you activate it, the loginAn Automation Engine object type that stores account credentials used by agents on target systems. information of the Login object will be used instead of the agentA program that enables the de-centralized execution of processes (such as deployments) on target systems (computers or business solutions) or a service that provides connectivity to a target system (such as for databases or middleware). An agent is also an object type in the Automation Engine. [Formerly called "Executor."] See also: host's to run the SAP job. |
Executable Object Names - Allowed Characters Extended Executable object names may only contain certain characters. These allowed characters have been extended by the hyphen "-". |
The new Job object type Generic is now available where the agent the job shall run on may be defined in two ways: Through the Variables&Prompts tab of that object and the Script variables &OVERWRITE_AGENT# or &AGENT# respectively, or by using PromptSet elements. The agent may be any platform agent except the Rapid Automation agent. |
Documentation |
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HTML HelpDeprecated Term. Discontinued As of version 11.2 the help will be available in WebHelpOne of the help formats that are provided for manuals. You open it with a Web browser. and PDF format only, the HTML help (file extension .chm), is discontinued. Webhelp will also be the default for a new installation of the Automation Engine and the default format called, when using the F1 key. |
[What's New] [Service Packs] [New Functions] [Notes for Upgrade Installation] [Bug Fixes] [Known Issues]
Topic |
Changed behavior |
Possible incompatibilities |
Actions/Countermeasures |
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General DB change |
The DB scheme/structure has been changed. |
Custom SQL queries on AE DB do not work anymore. |
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Release Packaging |
The Release Packaging (zip files, folderTop level entities such as Environment, Deployment Target, Activity, … are stored in folders. The permissions a user has on an entity depend on the permissions that are set on the folder for the entities. structure and its content) have been changed. The following files and folders have been removed:
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Possibly automated installation routines using releaseReleases combine a set of activities and a set of packages as well as other release artifacts under a timeline (a plan including milestones and phases), which can be planned, baselined and tracked. images will not work. |
If there are scripts relying on the old packageA Package is an instance (a version, a revision, a tag, …) of your application and defines the content which you want to deploy. Here you decide, if you want to deploy the entire application or just a few specified components. structure, you have to adapt the paths. |
CP/WP routing |
FORMS request routing to RA agents has been changed. |
When you edit RA connection objects, a corresponding RA agent has to be active in the same clientA closed environment within an Automation Engine system where you can create and run objects. A client name consists of a 4-digit number that must be indicated when a user logs on to the Automation Engine system. Users and their rights are also defined in clients. A particular Automation Engine object type. to retrieve data. |
Assign an RA agent for relevant clients. |
Third party monitoring via External Monitoring Interface |
The new state-of-the-art JMX interface EMI (External Monitoring Interface) has been introduced. The existing SNMP interface is still available, but the third party integration with BMC Patrol, HP OpenView, and Tivoli has been de-supported. |
There is no incompatibility, but the integration with BMC Patrol, HP OpenView, and Tivoli is not available anymore. |
Integrate third party monitoring systems via the new EMI instead. |
Doubled MQ tables |
MQ tables have been doubled and renamed. |
MQ tables might not be considered when you use DB Reorg and existing scripts might fail due to changed table names. |
Adapt DB Reorg scripts. |
ProxySeparate Automic product that can be used as an additional service program in combination with the Automation Engine. Combines and reroutes CP connections. INI file extensions |
Parameters and the format of some parameter values have been changed in the INI file due to functionality improvements. |
You will not be able to reuse INI files of Proxy versionsAn application version holds zero or more deployment packages and may have dependencies to zero or more application versions of the same (or to different) applications prior to v2 without adaptions. |
Adapt INI file parameters according to the Proxy user documentation. |
[What's New] [Service Packs] [New Functions and Improvements] [Notes for Upgrade Installation][Bug Fixes] [Known Issues]
For an up-to-date listShows entities in a grid view of bug fixes and known issues for a product version, go to the Automic Download Center. Click Advanced Mode, then select the applicationAn application is a software which helps a user to fulfill specific tasks. In the context of ARA see also: Application entity. and version, and check Bug Fixes.
[What's New] [Service Packs] [New Functions and Improvements] [Notes for Upgrade Installation] [Bug Fixes] [Known Issues]
For an up-to-date list of bug fixes and known issues for a product version, go to the Automic Download Center. Click Advanced Mode, then select the application and version, and check Known Issues.
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