Inside Automation Engine > Executing Objects > Resources

Resources

By default, all jobs and file transfers are processed without any 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 limitations. At closer view, it becomes obvious that tasks contain different statements. Some of them are CPU consuming or have long runtimes. AE has developed a resource concept which considers a hostComputer, target system.'s workload during processing.

It allows different emphasis to be put on jobs and file transfers. Agents have a specified resource pool and it is possible to define how many resources are consumed during execution for each jobAn Automation Engine object type for a process that runs on a target system. and file transferTransfers files from one computer to another. A particular Automation Engine object type (FileTransfer object)..

Our resource concept does not specifically refer to CPU time or memory etc. The values specified as resources are abstract values which intend to provide a high level of flexibility for your configurationA set of constituent components that make up a system. This includes information on how the components are connected including the settings applied..

A taskAn executable object that is running. Tasks are also referred to as activities. starts as soon as the agent has sufficient resources to execute it. If there are insufficient resources, the task changes to statusThis represents the condition of a task (such as active, blocked, generating). "Waiting for resource" and will be executed when resources are available again. If there are several tasks waiting, the AE priority is the crucial factor for deciding which one should be processed first.

Example:

An agent has 100 available resources for job executions. Three jobs should be started.

Tasks that are in the waiting condition can be started at any time using the command "Ignore Agent Resource" in the Activity Window's context menu or the scriptA particular Automation Engine object type. functionPre-defined run book template in the Automation Engine. One single step only, e.g. Start Windows Service, Copy file,… MODIFY_UC_OBJECT. The agent's current resource value is ignored. Task resources are consumed and the agent's maximum resource value is exceeded in the short term.

Consumed resources are released as soon as the task has ended.

An agent's resources are valid for all clients, because the same agent can be used in several clients.

Resource consumption can also be allocated for jobs which are started by a RemoteTaskManagerIt monitors and controls external Jobs that were not started by the Automation Engine (AE). An AE object type. [Formerly called "QueueManager."].

In file transfers, source and destination agent must have sufficient resources as otherwise the file transfer cannot be executed.

Procedure

By default, agents do not check the resource settings of jobs and file fransfers. Some options must be specified if you intend to use the AE resource concept. First, determine how many resources the agents should provide:

  1. Log on to system 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. 0000.
  2. Open the variableIt stores or retrieves values dynamically at runtime. An individual Automation Engine object type. UC_HOSTCHAR_DEFAULT or the other host characteristics of your agents if you use different variables.
  3. Enter the resources the agent should provide in the keys WORKLOAD_MAX_FT and WORKLOAD_MAX_JOB. Value "-1" means that the resource setting of jobs and file transfers is ignored.

Resource values can be changed on a temporary basis in the System OverviewThe UserInterface window that contains information about the Automation Engine system.. This value applies until the agent connection or the agent itself is ended.

Default value "1" applies for the resource consumption of jobs and file transfers. This value can be changed as described below:

  1. Open the variable UC_SYSTEM_SETTINGS.
  2. Modify the values for the keys WORKLOAD_DEFAULT_FT and WORKLOAD_DEFAULT_JOB if a different default value should be specified.

The resource consumption of jobs and file transfers that should not use the default value can be specified in the particular objectAutomation Engine controlled activities and processes are structured in the form of objects. See also: Task's Attributes tab. If value "0" is entered in this field, the default value of the variable UC_SYSTEM_SETTINGS is used.

Special Case: Maximum Number of Tasks Which Can Run Parallel

The AE resource concept can also be used to limit the number of tasks running parallel on an agent.

Ensure that all jobs and file transfers consume resources of value "1".  This can be specified in the keys of the variable UC_SYSTEM_SETTINGS. The default value of the variable is only used if job and file transfer objects have the value "0" specified as resource consumption. Now enter the maximum number of parallel tasks as the resource value in the variable(s) for host characteristics.

Each job and file transfer consumes one resource during its execution. Thus, the agent's resource value acts as the maximum number of tasks running parallel.

Script

Script Elements

Description

:PUT_ATT

Changes the value of an attribute during generation

:SET_UC_SETTING

Changes system settings during system operation

GET_ATT

This function returns the values of a task's attributes during generation.

GET_UC_SETTING

Reads current system settings

MODIFY_UC_OBJECT

Modifies the attribute of an activated object

 

See also:

Controlled Computer Restart

 


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