*HelpHelp for Event Scheduler*EvtSched


The Event Scheduler service can easily automate many hardware systems-management tasks. Use the Event Scheduler to create scheduled events, execute these events automatically on multiple remote systems or entire system groups, and maintain detailed logs of the results of these scheduled events. You can also edit or delete previously created scheduled events as necessary.

With Event Scheduler, you can create scheduled events that will automatically perform one of the following tasks on one or more individual systems, or even on entire system groups:

A scheduled event can be configured to execute repeatedly at a specified time interval (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly) for fully automated systems-management functions (such as simplified hardware inventorying), or can be executed once only for special situations (such as data collection and distribution or System Partition updating). Finally, Event Scheduler maintains a detailed log of all scheduled event results, so you can verify that your automated tasks were executed correctly.

Use Event Scheduler to perform any of the following actions:

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Creating a New Scheduled Event

To create a new scheduled event:

  1. Select a task to be scheduled from the New Task Selections field.
  2. The New Event screen is displayed for specific task information can be entered.

    The following tasks can be scheduled for a "one-time" or recurring time interval.

    Note: There is no task-specific help for the Scrub All Raid Drives task.

  3. Type in the Event Name field a name for the scheduled event.
  4. Enter any information required by the specific task that will be performed by the scheduled event.
  5. Select the Retry for offline systems check-box if you desire automatic retry of the scheduled event for the machines that were off-line when the schedued event was executed.
  6. Select the Autoschedule for new systems check-box if you desire the newly discovered machines in a group you sheduled to be automaticlly included in the scheduled event when it is executed.
  7. Select Groups or Systems check-box:
  8. Select from the appropriate fields the system groups or systems on which the scheduled event will be performed.
  9. Use the Schedule Frequency pull-down options in the Date and Time field group to configure time intervals and date- and time- specific settings for the scheduled event.
  10. The Date and Time field schedule frequency settings group contains six radio buttons, each of which determines the time interval between executions of the scheduled event.

    The available selections are:

    The schedule Date and Time field group contains fields that enable you to set date- and time-specific information as well as schedule frequency that determines the dates and times at which the scheduled event will be executed. Each field offers a wildcard value, marked with an asterisk (*). If you select this value, the Schedule Date and Time information is created for you, based on the current date and time.

  11. Select Submit New Event to save the scheduled event and return to the Event Scheduler screen.
  12. Note: The name of the scheduled event you have just finished configuring now appears in the Scheduler List of Events.

  13. Select Reset to refresh the New Events screen with default values and settings for the selected task.
  14. Select Cancel discard your field entries and return to the Even Scheduler screen.

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Command Line Interface

Use the Command Line Interface (CLI) Service to execute the selected Netfinity command line on one or more remote systems. To configure the CLI action type in the CLI executable name and parameters in the designated fields.

  1. Enter the Netfinity Command Line Interface executable file name in the Command Line Interface EXE field.

  2. Enter the command line parameters that will be used with the Netfinity Command Line Interface executable in theCommand Line Parameters field.

    Do NOT include the Network path /N target option in the CLI parameters. This will be provided by the Event Scheduler for each system the CLI is run on.

  3. Select Send CLI output to a file if the Netfinity Command Line Interface output is to be sent to a user file.

    Enter the file name to be saved in the Save as File Name field.

  4. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Export Monitor to Database

This option is not currently supported under the web, although the option shows due to the dynamic nature of the Event Scheduler service.

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File Transfer Task

Use this task-specific screen to configure a scheduled event that will transfer an individual file, an individual directory, or entire directory trees between the local managing system and all selected remote systems. You can also use this window to configure a scheduled event to delete specific local or remote files.

Attention: DOS does not support path names of more than 63 characters. If you will be using File Transfer to transfer nested directories to a system running Netfinity Manager for Windows or Windows Client Services for Netfinity, be sure that the complete path name does not exceed the maximum 63-character length. If the total length of the path name exceeds 63 characters, some nested subdirectories and the files they contain will be lost.

To configure your File Transfer scheduled event:

  1. Select an Action.
  2. The fields that are active in the File Transfer task-specific window depend on which Action button you select. Available Actions are:

  3. Select a Copy Direction.
  4. If you are transferring a file or directory, select a Copy Direction (Copy Local to Remote or Copy Remote to Local). If you are deleting a file, you do not need to select a Copy Direction.

  5. Enter Local System and Remote System information.
  6. Enter information regarding the source of the file to be transferred and the target area to which the file will be transferred. If you are deleting a file, you will only need to enter information regarding the location of the file to be deleted.

  7. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Remote Session Task

Use this task-specific window to create a scheduled event that will automatically execute a specific command on one or more remote systems.

To configure your Remote Session scheduled event:

  1. Type in the Enter filename or command field the command you want to execute on the selected systems.
  2. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Service Configuration Task

Use the Service Configuration task to use Service Configuration Files (SCF files) created using Service Configuration Manager to update or replace the configuration used by specific Netfinity services.

To configure your Service Configuration scheduled event:

  1. Type in the field provided the full name of the Service Configuration File that contains the service configuration data you want to propagate to other systems.

    The name you type in must be a filename that appears in the SCF subdirectory of your Netfinity installation directory, and the filename must match exactly, including the file's extension. For example, an SCF file named ALERT.SCF must be entered in the field as ALERT.SCF. If you type just ALERT, the service configuration update will fail.

  2. Select a Merging setting.

    Service Configuration events can apply changes specified in SCF files in one of two ways:

  3. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Software Inventory Task

Use the Software Inventory task to create a scheduled event that will gather data about software installed on one or more remote systems. Once collected, this information can be exported to a file and used to generate a variety of reports.

To continue configuring your Software Inventory scheduled event:

  1. Type in the Dictionary File Name field the name of the Software Inventory dictionary file that will be used to determine the presence of software products on each of the remote systems.
  2. Select one or more Output Options:
  3. You can select up to seven Output Options:

  4. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Start-up/Shutdown Systems Task

Use the System Startup/Shutdown task to restart, shutdown, power up, or wake wake-on-LAN systems remotely.

The following System Startup/Shutdown Options are available.

Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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System Information Tool Task

Use this action to create a scheduled event that will collect system hardware information from one or more remote systems. Once collected, this information can be saved as a history file and viewed later, printed to a printer, or saved to a file.

You can use this action to do one of the following actions for each selected system:

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Creating a History File

To configure the System Information scheduled event to create a history file for each system on which it is executed:

  1. Select Create History File.
  2. Type in the History File Directory field the complete path for the local directory in which generated history files will be stored.
  3. Continue configuring the scheduled event.
  4. Note: The history file for each system from which information is gathered will have a different file name. This file name is generated by taking the first four letters of the system's System Name and then applying a mathematical algorithm to the entire System Name to generate a four digit alphanumeric string. These two parts are then combined to create the file name.

    For example, a history file created by a Create History File scheduled event for a system named USER1 will always be named USER11BN.HST. This ensures that similarly named systems will not generate identically named history files, and that each system will generate the same file name each time the scheduled event is executed.

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Printing Output or Saving Output in a File

To configure the System Information scheduled event to print output for each system on which it is executed:

  1. Select Print Output.
  2. Select an output device.
  3. Continue configuring the scheduled event.
  4. Note: The print file for each system from which information is gathered will have a different and distinct file name. This file name is generated by taking the first four letters of the system's System Name and then applying a mathematical algorithm to the entire System Name to generate a four digit alphanumeric string. These two parts are then combined to create the file name.

    For example, a print file created by a Print Output To File scheduled event for a system named USER1 will always be named USER11BN.RPT. This ensures that similarly named systems will not generate identically named print files, and that each system will generate the same file name each time the scheduled event is executed.

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System Partition Access

Use the System Partition Access task to configure a scheduled event that will automatically update, back up, or delete specific files and directories from the the System Partitions of all selected systems.

You can configure a scheduled event to perform any one of the following actions:

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Deleting Partition Files

Select the Delete Partition File Action to erase a specific file from the System Partition of each remote selected system.

To configure a Delete Partition File Action:

  1. Select the Delete Partition File radio button.
  2. Type in the System Partition Directory field the name of the System Partition directory (if any) that contains the file to be deleted.
  3. Type in the System Partition Filename field the name of the System Partition file that will be deleted by the scheduled event.
  4. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Backing Up System Partitions

Select Partition Backup to create a backup image of the System Partition of each remote selected system.

To configure a Partition Backup Action:

  1. Select the Partition Backup radio button.
  2. Select a Backup/Restore Filename option.
  3. There are two Backup/Restore Filename options to choose from:

  4. Type in the Local System Drive field the drive letter of the local system's disk drive that will be used to store the backup image file.
  5. Type in the Local System Directory field the name of the local system's directory that will be used to store the backup image.
  6. If you have selected User Specified, enter in the Local System Filename field the name you want to assign to the backup image file.
  7. Note: If you selected System Generated, the System Partition Access task will create a system-specific file name for each system on which the scheduled event is performed. This file name is created by using the first four letters of a remote system's System Name, and then applying a mathematical algorithm to the entire System Name to generate a four digit alphanumeric string. These two parts are then combined to form a file name for the image.

    For example, a System Partition backup image file of a system named USER1 created by a Partition Backup scheduled event using the System Generated Filename option will always be named USER11BN.IMG. This ensures that similarly named systems will not generate identically named partition backup images files, and that each system will generate the same file name (or restore the same image) each time the scheduled event is executed.

  8. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Restoring System Partitions

Select Partition Restore to restore the System Partition of each remote selected system. The backup image is restored from a specified image located on the local system.

To configure a Partition Restore Action:

  1. Select the Partition Restore radio button.
  2. Select a Backup/Restore Filename option.
  3. There are two Backup/Restore Filename options to choose from:

  4. Type in the Local System Drive field the drive letter of the local system's disk drive that contains the image file that will be used to restore the System Partition.
  5. Type in the Local System Directory field the name of the local system's directory that contains the image file that will be used to restore the System Partition.
  6. If you have selected User Specified, type in the Local System Filename field the name of the backup image file that will be used to restore the System Partition in the Local System Filename field.
  7. Note: If you selected System Generated, the System Partition Access task will create a system-specific file name for each system on which the scheduled event is performed. This file name is created by using the first four letters of a remote system's System Name, and then applying a mathematical algorithm to the entire System Name to generate a four digit alphanumeric string. These two parts are then combined to form a file name for the image.

    For example, a System Partition backup image file of a system named USER1 created by a Partition Backup scheduled event using the System Generated Filename option will always be named USER11BN.IMG. This ensures that similarly named systems will not generate identically named partition backup images files, and that each system will generate the same file name (or restore the same image) each time the scheduled event is executed.

    If you have previously created System Partition images using the System Generated Backup/Restore Filename option, you should select System Generated when restoring these System Partitions.

  8. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Copying Files To Partitions

Select Copy To Partition to copy a specific file from the local system to the System Partition of all remote selected systems.

To configure a Copy To Partition Action:

  1. Select the Copy To Partition radio button.
  2. Type in the Local System Drive field the drive letter of the local system's disk drive that contains the file that will be copied to the System Partition.
  3. Type in the Local System Directory field the name of the local system's directory that contains the file that will be copied to the System Partition.
  4. Type in the Local System Filename field the name of the file that will be copied to the System Partition.
  5. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Copying Files From Partitions

Select Copy From Partition to copy a specific file from the System Partition of all remote selected systems to a specified drive and directory on the local system.

To configure a Copy From Partition Action:

  1. Select the Copy From Partition radio button.
  2. Type in the System Directory Directory field the name of the System Partition directory (if any) that contains the file that will be copied to the local system.
  3. Type in the System Partition Filename field the name of the System Partition file that will be copied to the local system.
  4. Type in the Local System Drive field the drive letter of the local system's disk drive that will be used to store the System Partition file.
  5. Type in the Local System Directory field the name of the local system's directory that will be used to store the System Partition file.
  6. Continue configuring the scheduled event.

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Deleting Scheduled Events

To delete a previously configured scheduled event:

  1. Select from the List of Events field on the Event Scheduler screen the scheduled event(s) you want to delete.
  2. Select Delete Selected Items.
  3. After confirmation, the scheduled event(s) are deleted.

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Editing and Viewing Scheduled Events

To edit/view a previously created scheduled event:

  1. Select from the List of Events field on the Event Scheduler screen the scheduled event you want to view.
  2. The Event Edit/View screen contains information specific to the selected scheduled event (including name, task to be performed, systems on which the task will be performed, and when the event will be performed again).

  3. Update any information as desired for the specific task that will be performed by the scheduled event.
  4. Select Submit New Event to save the updates to the scheduled event and return to the Event Scheduler screen.
  5. Select Reset to refresh the New Events screen with previously subitted values and settings for the selected task.
  6. Select Cancel discard your field updates and return to the Even Scheduler screen.

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Viewing Event Details of Scheduled Events

The View Event Details screen displays an itemized status for each machine scheduled for the task.

To view status summary results for the most current execution of a scheduled event:

  1. Select from the List of Events field on the Event Scheduler screen the Last Status field entry for the scheduled event you want to view.
  2. Note: The Last Status field entries on the Event Scheduler screen represent the collective status of the scheduled event for all the machines scheduled for the task.

    The View Event Details screen is displays an itemized status for each machine scheduled for the task.The Last Status field shows whether the task failed on a machine, was submitted to the machine, or the machine was off-line at the time the event was executed. If the task was scheduled with the Retry for offline systems option, this status will include the Retry status for machines that have beem off-line since the schedule was executed.

To enable/disable the retry of the scheduled event for the systems currently off-line:

  1. Select the Retry check-box next to the desired systems.
  2. Select Submit Update to save your updated settings.

To discard your changes:

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Refreshing the Scheduled Event List

If other Netfinity Managers have access to your Event Scheduler service, they can create, edit, and delete scheduled events on your system remotely. This could cause changes to the Scheduled Event list that would not ordinarily appear until the Event Scheduler Service window was closed and reopened.

Select Refresh from the Event Scheduler screen Scheduler Service window to update the Scheduled List of Events list immediately.

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Viewing the Scheduler Log

The Scheduler Log contains a record of all actions taken by the Event Scheduler service, including the name of any scheduled event, the name of the Netfinity service that was used to execute the scheduled event, the date and time at which the event was executed, the name of each system on which the event was executed, and the results (success or failure) of the scheduled event on each system.

To view the Scheduler Log:

  1. Select View Log from the Event Scheduler screen.
  2. The Event Logfile screen is displayed with the Event Scheduler log details for each scheduler task that has been executed.

To erase the contents of the log:

    Select Clear Log to erase the contents of the log file.

To update the contents of the Scheduler Log while you are viewing it:

    Select Refresh.

To close the Scheduler Log window and return to the Event Scheduler screen:

    Select Return to Scheduler.

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Exiting

To exit the Event Scheduler service, select the "Netfinity" image on the top or bottom of the Event Scheduler service to return to the Netfinity services screen.

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