3.1.1 Workflow Types

There are four types of workflow configurations:

  • Batch
  • Real-Time
  • Task
  • System Task

Batch Workflow

A batch workflow processes input that originates in a specific source, often a file. The workflow creates batches from the data and processes them one by one.  

In a batch workflow data is collected by a single collecting agent in a transaction-safe manner: a single batch is collected (only once) and is fully processed by the workflow before the next batch is collected.  

A batch workflow:  

  • Processes batches, one at a time
  • Is started either manually or by a scheduled trigger  
  • Stops either when it finishes processing the input, or when aborted

    Note!

    If the workflow aborts, the current batch can be reprocessed.

Real-Time Workflow

  Real-time workflows are applicable in systems where instant processing requests need to be addressed as they occur.

  In real-time workflows most of the collecting agents communicate in a two-way manner; they receive requests and provide replies.

  A real-time workflow:

  •   Can have more than one collecting agent
  •   Can process several UDRs simultaneously. See 3.1.2 Multithreading.

    Note!

    Due to multithreading in real-time workflows, unlike batch workflows:
     

    1. The order of UDR processing cannot be guaranteed.
       

    2. Only global MIMs are used.

  •   Once started, is always active. A real-time workflow is started either manually or by a scheduled trigger, and stops either manually or due to an error.
  •   Processes in memory. Transaction safety must be handled prior to collection and after distribution.
  •   Real-time workflow error handling rarely leads to aborting the workflow. Errors are registered in System Log and the workflow continues to run.


Note!

Real-time workflows may use the Inter Workflow or Kafka agents to forward data to a batch workflow.


Task Workflows

Task workflows are single agent workflows that execute user defined SQL or shell scripts.

System Task Workflows

is delivered to you with System Task workflows included. System Task workflows and workflow groups that include System Task workflows enable you to perform background routines such as log- and run-time data clean up from the platform.

System Task workflows include:

  • Alarm Cleaner

  • Archive Cleaner

  • Configuration Cleaner

  • ECS Maintenance

  • Statistics Cleaner

  • System Backup

  • System Log Cleaner

This section includes information about:

  • Opening a System Task Workflow

  • Modifying a System Task Workflow Configuration

Opening a System Task Workflow

You open a System Task Workflow from the workflow configuration.

To  open a System Task, double-click a System Task workflow or workflow group in the Configuration Browser pane.

Modifying a System Task Workflow Configuration

You modify all the System Task Workflow configurations at template level. The workflow properties are all set to Final and cannot be modified.

  •   You can modify a System Task configuration, including its scheduling criteria, but you cannot create or remove a System Task configuration.
  •   The Archive Cleaner Workflow lets you modify only its scheduling criteria. For further information see Scheduling in 3.2.2 Managing a Workflow Group .  

  To Modify a System Task Workflow:  

  1.   Open the System Task Workflow that you want to modify.

  2.   Double-click the agent icon.

    The agent's configuration dialog opens.

  3.   Perform the changes and click OK .

  4.   Save the workflow.



Alarm Cleaner


The Alarm Cleaner workflow enables you to periodically delete old Alarm messages from the database.

The Alarm Cleaner System Task

To configure the Alarm Cleaner System Task workflow, enter the number of days that define a period during which an alarm message should remain in the database.


Archive Cleaner


The Archive Cleaner System Task enables you to remove old archived files from the file system. Archive Cleaner operates according to data that it receives from the Archive profiles.

Note!

You can modify only the scheduling criteria of the Archive Cleaner. See 9.8.2 Archive Profile. Since scheduling can only be applied to workflow groups, you modify the Archive Cleaner scheduling from the workflow group configuration.




Configuration Cleaner


Enables you to specify the maximum age of an old configuration before it is removed. Configuration Cleaner is executed in every space. See 2. Configuration .

When the Configuration Cleaner is applied, every space is included. For further information on configuration spaces, see the Configuration Spaces documentation.

Note!

You cannot remove the most recent configuration with the Configuration Cleaner, only historical ones.


To configure the Configuration Cleaner:

  1.   Select a configuration type from the table and then click the entry in the Keep column; a drop-down list appears.

  2.   Select one of the following: Always, Days, or Versions.

 

The Configuration Cleaner System Task


ItemDescription

Type

The icon representation of the configuration type.

Name

The name of the configuration type.

Keep

Select the time unit with which you specify how long old configurations should remain in the system.

  • Always: Always keep configurations. 

  • Days: Keep configurations for a specified number of days.

  • Versions: Keep only a certain amount of versions of the configurations. For example, the last 10 versions.

Value

Specifies the number of days or versions that represent the period during which configurations are kept.


ECS Maintenance


Enables you to remove old ECS data from the file system. For information about the ECS Maintenance System Task workflow see 9.24.3 ECS_Maintenance System Task.


Statistics Cleaner


  Enables you to remove old statistics data that has been collected by the Statistics server and stored in the database.


The Statistics Cleaner System Task

ItemDescription

Minute Level Records

Specifies the number of days during which a minute-level record should be kept in the database.

Hour Level Records

Specifies the number of days during which an hour-level record should be kept in the database.

Day Level Records

Specifies the number of days during which a day-level record should be kept in the database.



System Backup


Enables you to create a backup of all the configurations in . A backup file is saved on the host machine where the platform application is installed. 
The System Backup files are stored under $MZ_HOME/backup/yyyy_MM, where yyyy_MM is translated to the current year and month. The system saves a backup file and names it according to the following format: backup_<date>.zip.System Backup also enables you to specify the maximum age of backup files before they are removed from the host disk.

The System Backup configuration dialog box is made up of two tabs:

  • System Backup: Lets you enable the backup option

  • Cleanup: Lets you configure the time during which a backup should be kept on disk before it is deleted
     


The System Backup System Task workflow


ItemDescription

Enable System Backup

Select this check box to enable the system backup. The default value is On.

Use Encryption

Select this check box to enable encryption of the backup.

Password

Enter a password.


The System Backup Cleaner System Task - the Cleanup tab


ItemDescription

Imported Files

Every time the System Importer imports a configuration to the system, saves it as a backup on the Platform. Enter the period, in days, during which the imported files should remain on disk.

System Backup Files

Defines the maximum age of system backup files before they are removed from the host disk.





System Log Cleaner


The System Log Cleaner deletes the System Log periodically. You set the frequency values for deleting different message types, on the System Log Cleaner dialog box.


The System Log Cleaner System Task


ItemDescription

Error/Disaster

Enter the maximum age of Error and Disaster messages before they are removed from the database.

Max value: 99 days

Default value: 30 days

Warning

Enter the number of days during which Warning messages should be kept in database.

Max value: 99 days

Default value: 20 days

Information

Enter the number of days during which Information messages should be kept in the database.

Max value: 99 days

Default value: 10 days