Using the TCM Scheduler


Overview

Tasks

Included with

Tivoli Change Management administration

Overview

Using the TCM Scheduler

The TCM Scheduler is a utility you can use to run your reports automatically at intervals you specify. The TCM Scheduler, which can also execute Tivoli Script functions or procedures, rules, OS/2 .exe and .cmd files, and DOS .bat files, enables you to add, modify, and delete scheduled entries. This help topic primarily addresses scheduling reports; see Firing Rules for instructions on automatic rule firing.

In addition to setting up the automated execution of reports and programs, you can also use the TCM Scheduler dialog box to manually initiate the execution of a process or report.

Note: You can run the TCM Scheduler on a dedicated workstation or in the background on a workstation that is used for other purposes. The TCM Scheduler must be running on the workstation in order to execute scheduled reports. If you decide to run the TCM Scheduler on a multipurpose workstation, make sure users know that the TCM Scheduler is running. Running other applications on the same workstation may compromise the performance of the TCM Scheduler.

The TCM Scheduler dialog box

The TCM Scheduler dialog box is where you specify reports and other scheduled entries, such as rules, to run automatically.

To access the the TCM Scheduler dialog box, do one of the following:

  • If you are using the Tivoli Change Management administrator profile, from the Utilities menu, choose Schedule Monitor.
  • If you are using the Tivoli Service Desk administrator profile, from the Change Management menu, choose Change Scheduler.
  • From the Help menu, choose Your System Profile and follow the instructions under Scheduler.

Tasks

Adding a schedule entry

To add a report from the TCM Scheduler:
  1. From the Utilities menu, choose Schedule Monitor.
    Result: The TCM Scheduler dialog box appears.
  2. From the TCM Scheduler dialog box, choose Add.
    Result: The Schedule Entry dialog box appears.
  3. From the Process ID list, select Tivoli Change Management, type in a new process ID, or use the Any option to allow the report to be executed by any instance of the TCM Scheduler.
  4. In the Module box, type the name of the file (including the file extension) to execute.
    • For predefined reports, type the following, where reportpath is the Report Path Preferences option and report is the report name:
      reportpath\report.exe
    • For statistical or master schedule reports, type:
      tcm_axsta.kbc
  5. In the Procedure box, type the name of the procedure to call from the specified file based on the following:
Procedure Use
Predefined reports (Leave blank)
Master Schedule reports TCM_RunMasterSched
Statistical reports TCM_RunSchedStats
Time-dependent rules TCM_FireTimeDependent
  1. In the Parm 1-4 boxes, type optional STRING parameter values.
  2. In the Previous Time box, type the last time that execution of the report began. This time is used to calculate the next run time for the report. You can adjust this time to control when the report will run for the first time.
    For example, if you want the report to execute every five minutes starting at 5 P.M., type 16:55:00 for the previous run time (and five minutes for the interval).
  3. Select the Enabled check box to indicate that the entry should be considered active by the TCM Scheduler.
    If this box is not selected, the TCM Scheduler will not execute the report. This option allows you to enable and disable reports as needed without entirely removing them from the schedule. By default, all new reports are disabled.
  4. Select the Absolute Time check box to indicate how you want the previous run time to be recorded after the report is run.
    Absolute time is used because a report (Report A) may be executing when the interval for another report (Report B) expires. When a program is executing, it blocks the TCM Scheduler from executing another program. This is called synchronous execution.
    When Report A finishes, Report B executes, albeit behind schedule. When Report B finishes, the TCM Scheduler can record either the time Report B was supposed to start, or the time that it actually did start. Note that this affects the next start time for Report B, because the next start time is equal to the previous start time plus the interval.
  5. Under Interval, type the following information:
Interval Description Default
Days The number of days between executions of the report. 0
Hours The number of hours between executions of the report. 0
Minutes The number of minutes between executions of the report. 0
Seconds The number of seconds between executions of the report. 0

Note: If you specify an interval of all zeros, the TCM Scheduler runs the report immediately upon startup of the TCM Scheduler.

  1. Choose OK.
    Result: The settings are accepted and the TCM Scheduler dialog box closes.
    The report will be automatically executed as appropriate.
Modifying a schedule entry You can modify a scheduled entry while the corresponding report is executing.

To modify the attributes of a scheduled entry:

  1. From the Utilities menu, choose Schedule Monitor.
    Result: The TCM Scheduler dialog box appears.
  2. From the TCM Scheduler dialog box, select the report to modify.
    Result: The report is selected.
  3. Choose Edit.
    Result: The Schedule Entry dialog box appears.
  4. Make the appropriate modifications to the schedule entry.
  5. Choose OK.
    Result: The Schedule Entry dialog box dialog box closes and the modifications are saved.
Deleting a schedule entry You can delete a schedule entry while the report is executing. Deleting an entry completely removes it from the schedule database.

Note: You can disable, rather than delete, an entry by clearing the Enabled box. This allows you to prevent execution of the entry and still have the option of reactivating it later.

To delete a scheduled entry:

  1. From the Utilities menu, choose Schedule Monitor.
    Result: The TCM Scheduler dialog box appears.
  2. From the TCM Scheduler dialog box, select the report to delete.
  3. Choose Remove.
    Result: A message appears to verify that you want to delete the report.
  4. Choose OK.
    Result: The entry is deleted.
Executing reports The TCM Scheduler allows for the automatic and manual execution of reports listed in its schedule. You execute reports as follows:
  • Automatically

When you start the TCM Scheduler, any active entries with an interval of 0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes, and 0 seconds will be executed immediately. If there are multiple entries with this interval, the reports are executed in random order

  • Manually

You can manually execute a report from the TCM Scheduler, regardless of whether it is enabled or disabled. Note: You cannot manually execute a report if there is one currently running.

To manually execute a report:

  1. From the Utilities menu, choose Schedule Monitor.
    Result: The TCM Scheduler dialog box appears.
  2. From the TCM Scheduler dialog box, select the report to execute.
    Result: The report is selected.
  3. Choose Run.
    Result: The report is executed immediately.
Enabling reports from the Reports menu To enable a scheduled report:
  1. From the Utilities menu, choose Schedule Monitor.
    Result: The TCM Scheduler dialog box appears.
  2. From the TCM Scheduler dialog box, select the report to enable.
    Result: The report is selected.
  3. Choose Edit.
    Result: The Schedule Entry dialog box appears.
  4. From the Schedule Entry dialog box, do the following for each report you want to enable:
    • Select the Enabled box to indicate that the entry should be considered active by the TCM Scheduler.
    • Under Interval, type the following information:
Interval Description Default
Days The number of days between executions of the report. 0
Hours The number of hours between executions of the report. 0
Minutes The number of minutes between executions of the report. 0
Seconds The number of seconds between executions of the report. 0
  1. Choose OK.
    Result: The report is enabled and will continue to run at the specified intervals without further intervention.