[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference heron::euro_swas_ai

Title:Europe-Swas-Artificial-Intelligence
Moderator:HERON::BUCHANAN
Created:Fri Jun 03 1988
Last Modified:Thu Aug 04 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:442
Total number of notes:1429

181.0. "DECscheduler" by HERON::ROACH (TANSTAAFL !) Tue Feb 20 1990 17:36

    The following is a non-finalized copy of the SPD of a a new DEC product
    called DECscheduler. It is an AI based tool which was developed in
    Mitch Tseng's group (part of AITC in US). Mitch tells me that there are
    over 900 installations of this tool running internal to DEC. It is also
    used to schedule the "rolling up" of DIGITAL's books at the end of each
    quarter/year. With this tool it is done automatically and takes less
    than two weeks. Not bad for a $13 organization. He tells me that this
    is done with some linkages into OPS5. He thinks that there is some real
    good project consultancy potentials along these lines with the tool.
    
    This tool will be announced as part of the TP II announcement in Paris
    on Feb 27, 1990.
    
    Thought you might be interested in another "AI Based" application. The
    product manager is Phil (AISG::) James.
    
    Pat
    _________________________________________________________________
    
    
DECscheduler for VMS V1.0 information sheet 

second draft

one page, two sides

front, appx. 171 words; back, appx. 600 words



---------------------------------------------
DECscheduler for VMS
---------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------
DECscheduler for VMS Executes Repetitive Tasks Automatically
-------------------------------------------------




-----------------------------------------------------
Minimize Manual Operations, Improve System Management
-----------------------------------------------------
Your data center and application development staff devotes considerable
time and attention to routine system management and repetitive production
jobs.  DECscheduler for VMS is a distributed system-management tool that
allows you to execute many such tasks automatically, thus freeing your
staff to use its time and skills more productively.  At the same time,
DECscheduler for VMS can help you improve system performance and maximize
system resources through centralized control of your applications. 

DECscheduler for VMS lets you automatically schedule, execute, and monitor
tasks such as backup, file maintenance, and all user application 
production jobs. It's particularly beneficial for complicated repetitive
applications such as Payroll, Manufacturing Resource Planning, Financial
consolidations and numerous other functional areas within the Enterprise.
With Digital's Wide Area and Local Area Networking products you can
synchronize jobs with dependencies to run locally or on remote nodes. 
DECscheduler for VMS will automatically perform operations required for
successful completion of each job, including complete documentation and 
user notification. 

DECscheduler for VMS is an integral component of Digital's system
management solution.  That solution begins with the robust system
management capabilities incorporated into your VAX/VMS computing
environment and encompasses a growing list of Digital and third-party
products that address particular needs. 


--------------------------------
Highlights 
--------------------------------

o  Automatic execution of scheduled jobs

o  Fail-safe job-dependency testing 

o  Failover capability for VAXclusters

o  Modifiable system load-balancing function

o  Automatic verification and notification

o  Callable interface for Application Developers

o  Operates on full range of VAX/VMS systems 

---------------------------------------------
DECscheduler for VMS--the Automated Systems Operator Assistant
---------------------------------------------

DECscheduler for VMS separates information on how jobs should be run from
the jobs themselves.  Its DCL (Digital Command Language) interface makes it
easy to obtain information about any job.  You can select jobs by name,
group, or type, synchronizing as many as 16 jobs for each. By utilizing
Wildcarding, you can create simplified commands that affect all jobs
meeting your matching criteria. Virtually unlimited dependencies can be
achieved by developing a cascaded hierarchy. Most commands will take effect
across your VAX/VMS network, facilitating centralized control of distributed
applications. 

A scheduled job is executed automatically as its dependencies are
satisfied. That is, when other synchronized jobs have been completed
successfully. Jobs can be run at regular intervals or restricted to
specific days of the week. The DECscheduler for VMS user interface shows
the current status of all jobs at all times. 

DECscheduler for VMS has failover capability for VAXclusters, ensuring
execution of scheduled jobs.  It allows a job to be separated into a number of 
steps and will automatically restart an interrupted job at the appropriate 
step on another node in the VAXcluster. If you wish, you can restrict jobs
to a particular node.  DECscheduler for VMS provides a modifiable
load-balancing capability allowing you to select the least busy node for
execution of a particular job.

DECscheduler for VMS also provides job prefunction and postfunction
commands that help you set up the job environment, which can be shared by
different jobs. Upon request, it will notify you of unusual
circumstances; for example, if a job exceeds expected execution time or
fails to start before its deadline. When a job has completed, DECscheduler
for VMS will notify you by VAXmail or terminal message and provide an event log
from which you can produce reports on job activity and resource usage. 

------------------------------------------------------- 
DECscheduler for VMS--A Application Developers Building Block
------------------------------------------------------- 

DECscheduler for VMS provides a Callable Interface which allows your
application developers to integrate DECscheduler for VMS with their current
systems. The Callable Interface gives developers all the building blocks
necessary to build a system which is more closely aligned with their
environment. 

------------------------------------------------------- 
DECscheduler for VMS--Improves System Performance
------------------------------------------------------- 

DECscheduler for VMS can help you achieve better performance from
applications distributed throughout your VAX/VMS network.  It is
particularly useful in running DECwindows applications over remote nodes. 
For example, you can split such an application into a server component to
handle the workstation display and a client component to execute the rest
of the application.  This approach can improve user satisfaction on systems
with limited memory by accelerating application response time. 

You can use the VAXcluster and wide-area network features of DECscheduler
for VMS to run DECwindows applications for your workstation on remote
nodes. DECscheduler for VMS can serve as a general purpose tool for
coordination of distributed applications or compiling and linking large
programs on remote nodes. 

-------------------------------------------- 
Digital's System Management Solution 
-------------------------------------------- 
Like all Digital products, DECscheduler for VMS is backed by one of the
most complete service portfolios in the industry.  Digital will support
you from system planning and design through implementation and maintenance.
Besides traditional hardware and software services, Digital offers
multivendor and networking support, management consulting, user training,
and much more. Whatever your system management needs, Digital will
custom-tailor a program that satisfies all your requirements. 

For more information about DECscheduler for VMS and Digital's system management 
solution, contact your local Digital sales office.  





Digital believes that the information in this publication is accurate as of 
its publication date; such information is subject to change without notice. 
Digital is not responsible for any inadvertent errors.

The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: 
VAXmail, VAX/VMS, VAXcluster, DECscheduler for VMS, DECwindows, VAX, 
VMS, and the Digital logo.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
181.1Here's the final version of the SPDHERON::ROACHTANSTAAFL !Tue Feb 20 1990 19:17279
PRODUCT NAME:  DECscheduler for VMS, Version 1.0	      SPD: 32.19.00

DESCRIPTION:

DECscheduler for VMS is a distributed scheduling product that automates the
execution of repetitive production jobs on VAX/VMS Systems.  A "job" is a
DCL command file or a VMS command string.  DECscheduler for VMS separates
information which specifies how jobs should be run from the jobs themselves.
It automatically takes care of the job re-scheduling calculation, completion 
notification, etc. A scheduled job can run when constraints on its execution
are met. There are two types of constraints: The time must be LATER than the
job's scheduled time and all of the jobs that the job "depends on" must have
completed SUCCESSFULLY later than the last time the job completed. A job can
depend on up to 16 other jobs, which can be within a VAXcluster or on remote
nodes of a wide area DECnet network. 

Job database information can be easily accessed through DCL commands.  Most 
commands can also work remotely over the network, allowing centralized 
control of distributed applications.

DECscheduler for VMS has full VAXcluster failover capabilities. Jobs can be
divided into steps.  Interrupted jobs can be automatically restarted at the
current step on another node in the VAXcluster or restricted to a single 
node. An installation modifiable load-balancing procedure can be invoked at
execution time to select the VAXcluster node for job execution.

The product includes an event logging/reporting facility which can be used 
to produce job reports.


FEATURES

o Executes repetitive jobs without the need for command files.

o Jobs can be synchronized with up to 16 other jobs within the network. The
  user interface shows which job dependencies have been satisfied and which
  which are still being waited for.

o Notifies the user of job termination via VAXmail or terminal messages.

o Provides date /time (calendar and fiscal) and node /cluster run specific-
  ations for jobs. Jobs can be run automatically at regular intervals or 
  restricted to run on certain days of the week.

o Provides a job recovery/re-start mechanism.  Interrupted jobs can be
  automatically restarted at the current step on another node in the
  VAXcluster (the user interface displays the step currently executing).

o Capability to schedule jobs remotely via the LAN or WAN. Most commands
  work remotely over the network.

o Sets time limits for jobs.  Notifies operator when a job has exceeded
  the designated execution time.  It can also notify the operator if a 
  job failed to start by a deadline after the scheduled time.

o Allows for cluster load-balancing.

o Commands can operate on multiple jobs. Jobs may be specified by "Group"
  and "Type" as well as by name.  Jobname, Group and Type are strings up 
  to 40 characters in length.  The user interface supports the use of 
  wildcards.  For example, the DCL command 

   $ SCHED RUN A*/GROUP=%O*/TYPE=*BACK/USER=*S*/CONFIRM

  would prompt for the running of all jobs in the local VAXcluster with
  names that begin with the letter "A", a type that ends in "BACK", a 
  group with "O" in the second character position, owned by users with an 
  "S" in their VMS username.

o "Prefunctions" and "postfunctions" can be automatically run before and
  after the job.

o Ability to specify parameters or override job defaults (node, output file)
  on the run command.	

o Three levels of job status display - from a one line summary to full display

o Includes event logging and job reporting facility


Restrictions 

A job can't have different sets of dependencies depending upon the day of week.
The work-around is to duplicate the job and its dependencies using the
$ SCHED COPY command. 

Batch job procedures themselves may need to be modified slightly. Logic 
relating to job re-scheduling and operator notification can be removed. 
The mode of processes run by DECscheduler for VMS is "OTHER". DECscheduler
for VMS considers the completion status of the last DCL command in a
command file to be the completion status of the job. Sometimes jobs have
error handling logic which is invoked upon error and which may have to be
changed to exit the proper status. A job's exit status determines whether
jobs that "depend" on it will be run. 

Day restrictions for cyclic jobs with dependencies sometimes don't 
produce the desired behavior when production spans day boundaries. Usually 
these problems can be gotten around by modifying the time calculation 
algorithm for the specific jobs using the /USE_NEXT qualifier.

Documentation:

The DECscheduler Documentation Set consists of:

o   Installation Guide

o   Users Guide

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:

VAX, MicroVAX, VAXstation, or VAXserver configuration as specified in the 
System Support Addendum (SSA 32.19.00-x).

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:

Refer to the System Support Addendum for availability and required versions 
of prerequisite/optional software (SSA 32.10.00-x).

DECnet-VAX (end-node)

ORDERING INFORMATION

DECscheduler for VMS

Software Licenses: QL-YLLA*-**
Software Media: QA-YLLA*-**
Software Documentation: QA-YLLAA-GZ
Software Product Services: QT-YLLA*-**

SOFTWARE LICENSING

Clusterwide License

This software is furnished under the licensing provisions of DIGITAL's 
Standard Terms and Conditions. For more information about DIGITAL's 
licensing terms and policies, contact your local DIGITAL office.


LICENSE MANAGEMENT FACILITY SUPPORT

The DECscheduler for VMS layered products support the VMS License Management
Facility.

License units for this product are allocated on a CPU-capacity basis. 

For more information on the License Management Facility, refer to the VMS 
Operating System Software Product Description (SPD 25.01.xx) or the VMS 
Operating System documentation set. 

For more information about DIGITAL's licensing terms and policies, 
contact your local DIGITAL office. 


SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES

A variety of service options are available from DIGITAL. For more 
information contact your local DIGITAL office.


SOFTWARE WARRANTY

Warranty for this software product is provided by DIGITAL with the 
purchase of a license for the product as defined in the Software Warranty 
Addendum of this SPD.

February 1989
AE-PBJ7A-TE



PRODUCT NAME:  DECscheduler for VMS, Version 1.0	          SSA: 32.19.00

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:

These are the current production processors supported by VMS Operating
System.                         
    
VAX :
VAX FT3000

VAX 6000 Model 200 Series, VAX 6000 Model 300 Series, VAX 6000 Model 400 Series

VAX 8200, VAX 8250, VAX 8300, VAX 8350, VAX 8500, VAX 8530, VAX 8550, VAX 8600, 
VAX 8650, VAX 8700, VAX 8800, VAX 8810, VAX 8820, VAX 8830, VAX 8840, VAX 8842, 
VAX 8974, VAX 8978

VAX-11/730, VAX-11/750, VAX-11/780, VAX-11/785

MicroVAX :

MicroVAX II, MicroVAX 2000, MicroVAX 3100, MicroVAX 3300, MicroVAX 3400, 
MicroVAX 3500, MicroVAX 3600, MicroVAX 3800, MicroVAX 3900

VAXstation :

VAXstation II, VAXstation 2000, VAXstation 3100 Series, VAXstation 3200, 
VAXstation 3500, VAXstation 3520, VAXstation 3540 
                                                      
VAXserver :

VAXserver 3100, VAXserver 3300, VAXserver 3400, VAXserver 3500, VAXserver 3600, 
VAXserver 3602, VAXserver 3800, VAXserver 3900, VAXserver 6000-210, 
VAXserver 6000-310, VAXserver 6000-410, VAXserver 6000-420

"Processors Not Supported" :                  

MicroVAX I, VAXstation I, VAX-11/725, VAX-11/782, VAXstation 8000

"Processor Restriction":

 A TK50 Tape Drive is required for Standalone MicroVAX 2000 and VAXstation 
 Systems.

Other Hardware Requirements

As required to support DECnet.

Block Space Requirements (Block Cluster Size = 1):

Disk space required for installation:			    5,000 blocks
							    (2.56M bytes)
Disk space required for use of system disk
(permanent):						    4,000 blocks*
							    (2.05M bytes) 
	*Note:Will grow depending on amount of audit trail information kept

CLUSTER ENVIRONMENT

This layered product is fully supported when installed on any valid and 
licensed VAXcluster* configuration without restrictions. The HARDWARE 
REQUIREMENTS sections of this product's Software Product Description and 
System Support Addendum detail any special hardware required by this product.

* V5.n VAXcluster configurations are fully described in the VAXcluster 
  Software Product Description (29.78.xx) and include CI, Ethernet, and 
  Mixed Interconnect configurations.
 

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

DECscheduler for VMS Software is supported on VMS Operating System V5.0 - V5.3


Layered Products

DECnet-VAX V5.0 - V5.4

VMS Tailoring

The following VMS classes are required for full functionality of this
layered product:

^ VMS Required Saveset
^ Network Support
^ Programming Support 
^ System Programming Support 
^ Utilities      

For more information on VMS classes and tailoring, refer to the VMS 
Operating System Software Product Description (SPD 25.01.xx).

GROWTH CONSIDERATIONS 

The minimum hardware/software requirements for any future version of this 
product may be different from the requirements for the current version.

DISTRIBUTION MEDIA

Tape: 9-track 1600 BPI Magtape (PE), TK50 Streaming Tape, 

This product is also available as part of the VMS Consolidated Software 
Distribution on CDROM in the near future.

The above information is valid at time of release. Please contact your 
local DIGITAL office for the most up-to-date information.

February 1990
AE-PBJ8A-TE