HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Sequenced Directory Updates
HP Desk also contains facilities for sending and receiving Sequenced
Directory Updates. Sequencing can be used to automate the distribution
of directory updates in an HP Desk network.
In their current form, Sequenced Directory Updates are a set of tools
with which directory updates can be sent and received automatically.
These tools can be built on to provide partial or totally automated
solutions for updating directories within a network:
* In large HP Desk networks, the Sequenced Directory Update Tools
allow updates to be sent automatically to a centralized facility
for further compilation and re-distribution. Such a facility
would need additional tools for processing and re-distributing the
received updates.
* In small or locally isolated networks, the Sequenced Directory
Update Tools can be used by themselves to totally automate the
sending and receiving of updates. In this scenario, the sending
and receiving of directory updates can be totally automated, and
the application of updates in the correct sequence can be assured.
How Sequencing Works
Sequencing is activated from the Sequenced Information screen in the HP
Desk configurator. Once activated, all local updates must be made using
the HP Desk Configurator. A record of the changes made with the
Configurator is kept in the BCREPORT file in the normal way.
At regular intervals, this list of local changes is sent automatically to
a named Distribution List. Each update is sent with a sequence number
which identifies it. The times at which the updates are sent is set
using the MAILSCHEDULE command. The only difference between a sequenced
update and a normal remote update is some sequencing information at the
start of the file.
To receive sequenced updates HP Desk must be configured to receive remote
updates from the computer concerned. Sequenced updates are treated in
the same way as normal remote updates when they are received, and are
applied automatically by the receiving computer. With sequencing
enabled, the sequence information is checked in addition to the normal
checks. If the sequence number is out of order, the update is not
applied and a warning message is sent to the sender. On machines which
do not have sequencing enabled, sequenced updates are treated in exactly
the same way as normal remote updates when they are received. That is,
updates are applied automatically if HP Desk is configured to receive
updates from the computer concerned. If HP Desk is not configured to
receive remote updates, update messages are placed in General
Delivery when they arrive and can be applied manually by the HP Desk
Administrator.
Using Sequenced Updates in Large Networks
In a large HP Desk network, sequenced updates could be used to send local
directory updates automatically to a centralized facility for further
compilation and re-distribution. Such a facility would need additional
tools for processing and re-distributing the received updates. In this
way, the entire network could be kept up to date.
All machines in the network would need to be set up:
* To send sequenced updates automatically to the central facility.
* To receive remote updates from the central facility.
At the centralized facility the updates would have to be collated, either
manually or by computer, and consolidated updates then sent out at
regular intervals.
Using Sequenced Updates in Small Networks
In small or locally isolated networks, the Sequenced Directory Update
Tools can be used by themselves to totally automate the sending and
receiving of updates.
All machines in the network would need to be set up:
* To send sequenced updates automatically to all other computers in
the network.
* To receive remote updates from all other computers in the network.
In this way, the sending and receiving of directory updates can be
totally automated, with the application of updates in the correct
sequence being assured.
This method of distributing updates is only suitable for small networks,
and would be difficult to monitor in a large network. For this reason it
is recommended that a centralized facility for distribution of directory
updates is used on larger networks.
Sending Sequenced Updates
To send Sequenced Updates you need to:
* Enable Sequenced Updates at the Local Control Data screen of the
Configurator.
* Enter sequencing information on the Sequence Information screen of
the Configurator.
* Create a Distribution List specifying where Sequence Updates are
to be sent. This Distribution List must be held in the HP Desk
List Area of the person nominated as the Sequencing Administrator.
* Use the MAILSCHEDULE command to schedule when the updates are to
be sent.
Having done this, all local updates will have to be made using the HP
Desk Configurator. Batch updates cannot be used when Sequencing is
selected. Sequenced updates will then be sent automatically at the times
selected.
________________________________________________________________________
| |
| How to enable Sequencing: |
| |
| 1. Run the Configurator by typing MAILCONFIG either at the colon |
| prompt or from within HP Desk. |
| |
| 2. Press Config HPDESK System Menu and Data Menu to display the|
| Local Control Data Information menu. |
| |
| 3. Type a Y to the question Do you want to use the update |
| sequencing mechanism? at the bottom of the screen. |
| |
| 4. Press modify to make the change. |
| |
| 5. Return to the System Menu and press Sequence Menu to display |
| the Sequence Information menu. |
| |
| The sequence number will be displayed as ---- if sequenced |
| updates have not yet been sent. |
| |
| 6. Type in a starting number for the sequenced updates. |
| Start at 1 unless you have a reason for choosing another |
| number. |
| |
| 7. Type the name of the Sequencing Administrator and the name the |
| Distribution List to be used. |
| |
| 8. Press modify to make the changes, and then exit from the |
| Configurator. |
________________________________________________________________________
NOTE Batch Directory Updates using MAILUTIL are inhibited once
Sequencing is enabled, and all local updates must be made using the
Configurator.
________________________________________________________________________
| |
| How to create the Distribution List: |
| |
| 1. Run HP Desk and signon using the name of the Sequencing |
| Administrator. |
| |
| 2. Go to that person's List Area and create a Distribution List |
| containing the name or names of the locations where updates are|
| to be sent. |
________________________________________________________________________
If updates are to be applied automatically at the destination, send
updates to the *ADMIN server at the location concerned. For example, if
the HP Desk Administrator at one of the Pharaoh Company's divisions
wishes to send updates to the European Corporate Headquarters, they would
type *ADMIN/EUCORP/LE.
If you wish to send updates to a number of computers simply type
*ADMIN/location/sublocation for each of the computers you wish to send
updates.
If updates are NOT to be applied automatically, send updates to General
delivery (or to another user) at the location concerned.
Receiving Sequenced Updates
To receive sequenced updates, HP Desk must be configured to receive
remote updates from the computer concerned.
Every sequenced update contains a special record giving the name of the
sending computer together with a sequence number. Receiving systems keep
a record of this information in a special file known as the ADMINSEQ
file. Whenever incoming updates are received, HP Desk checks the
sequence number in the update against the number held in the ADMINSEQ
file for the sending computer.
If the sequence number follows on from the sequence number of the
previous update from the same computer, the update is applied
automatically and a confirmation message is sent to the originator of the
update.
If an update is out of sequence:
* The update is placed in the General Delivery In Tray on the the
system concerned.
* A reply is sent to the originating system giving details of why
the update could not be applied.
Sequencing information about incoming updates can be displayed at the
Sequence Information screen in HP Desk Configurator. To receive
sequenced updates HP Desk must be configured to receive remote updates
from the computer(s) concerned.
________________________________________________________________________
| |
| How to process incoming updates automatically: |
| |
| 1. Run the HP Desk Configurator by typing MAILCONFIG either at the|
| colon prompt or from within HP Desk. |
| |
| 2. Press Config HPDESK Direct'y Menu and Subloc'n Menu to |
| display the Sublocation Information menu. |
| |
| 3. For each computer you want to receive updates from: |
| |
| |
| a. Type in the Location and Sublocation Code. |
| |
| b. Press Get to display current information about the |
| node. |
| |
| c. Set to Y the appropriate flags under "Incoming Directory|
| Updates" from this (sub)location. That is accept remote|
| updates. |
| |
| d. Press modify to enter the changes. |
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
| |
| How to view sequencing information: |
| |
| 1. Run the HP Desk Configurator by typing MAILCONFIG either at the|
| colon prompt or from within HP Desk. |
| |
| 2. Press Config HPDESK Directory Updates Menu and Sequence |
| Screen to display the Sequence Information menu. |
| |
| 3. The name of the computer and the last sequence number are |
| displayed for each computer from which sequenced updates have |
| received. Use next page and prev page if there is more than |
| one screenful of information. |
| |
| See the Chapter 12 in this manual for further details about|
| the Sequence Information screen. |
________________________________________________________________________
Sequence Errors
Sequenced updates are treated in a very similar way to normal remote
updates, and generate the same kinds of errors. See "Network Updates"
for details.
HP Desk keeps track of the sequence numbers, and if an update is received
out of sequence:
* The update is placed in the General Delivery In Tray on the the
receiving system.
* A reply is sent to the originating system giving details of why
the update could not be applied.
The only reason for receiving an update out of sequence will be if there
are delays in the network, and a second update has been sent via a
different route and arrived before its predecessor.
If this happens it is usually necessary to wait until the first update
has been received and applied automatically. The update that was
received out of sequence can then be either:
1. Re-submitted from the originating system via the sequence
mechanism, or
2. Applied manually at the receiving system, and the sequence number
then re-adjusted manually at the Sequence Information screen in
the HP Desk Configurator.