Setting up broadcast distributed transfers


The information in this topic is applicable only for on-premises deployments.

You can set up a distributed environment involving more than two locations. In this environment, one server "broadcasts" copies of a request to multiple recipients. 

Broadcast distributions are typically used to propagate forms, such as remote knowledge bases, from a central source. Ownership does not transfer with the requests, and when the distributed copies are modified, the original request is not updated.

For example, if you define a mapping on the sanfrancisco server that sends a data-only copy of a request to the chicago server, you must also define a mapping on the sanfrancisco server that sends another data-only copy of the same request to the toronto server.

If you try to broadcast copies of requests with ownership, the system successfully executes the transfer specified by the first filter action. All remaining transfers to other servers, specified by subsequent filter actions, result in error messages because ownership was transferred off the From server during the first filter action.

Tip

Use one or more distributed pools when performing broadcast distributed operations. Doing so allows many of the transfers in the broadcast to occur simultaneously instead of one at a time. See Distributed-pools.

This section explains how to set up a broadcast distributed transfer that sends requests created in the Acme Product Info Archive form on the sanfrancisco server to the Acme Product Info Archive forms on the chicago and toronto servers. The following figure illustrates the flow of this example broadcast distributed transfer.

Broadcast distributed transfer example
BroadcastDistributedTransferExample.gif

To set up a broadcast distributed transfer

  1. Create a distributed mapping named Acme ProdInfoArch W to E between the Acme Product Info Archive forms on the sanfrancisco and chicago servers.
    In the Distributed Mapping editor, use these values in the Options tab:

    The [confluence_table-plus] macro is a standalone macro and it cannot be used inline. Click on this message for details.

    See Creating-distributed-mappings and Distributed-transfer-scenario.

  2. Create a distributed mapping named Acme ProdInfoArch W to T between the Acme Product Info Archive forms on the sanfrancisco and toronto servers.
    In the Distributed Mapping editor, use these values in the Options tab:

    The [confluence_table-plus] macro is a standalone macro and it cannot be used inline. Click on this message for details.

    See Creating-distributed-mappings and Distributed-transfer-scenario.

  3. Create a filter with two DSO Transfer actions.
    Both actions should execute on Submit and Modify. Use the following action names. No qualification is necessary.

    The [confluence_table-plus] macro is a standalone macro and it cannot be used inline. Click on this message for details.

    Use the same filter to transfer requests from the sanfrancisco server to the chicago server and from the sanfrancisco server to the toronto server. Define the transfers as separate filter actions, which execute in order when the criteria on sanfrancisco is met.
    See Creating-workflow-to-perform-DSO-operations.

  4. Test the broadcast by creating some requests in the Acme Product Info Archive form on the sanfrancisco server.
    Data-only copies of the requests should appear in the Acme Product Info Archive forms on the chicago and toronto servers.

Broadcasting distributed mappings and pools

To manage your DSO implementation from a central location, you can broadcast distributed mappings and pools to other AR System servers that participate in distributed transfers and returns. This helps ensure that the appropriate mappings are available where and when they need to be. For example, on the sanfrancisco server, you can create distributed mappings for the Distributed Mapping and Distributed Pool forms. Then, you can broadcast those mappings to the chicago and toronto servers.

To broadcast distributed mappings

  1. On the sanfrancisco server, create a distributed mapping named Distributed Mapping: sanfrancisco to chicago between the Distributed Mapping forms on the sanfrancisco and chicago servers. In the Distributed Mapping editor, use these values:

    Panel

    Item

    Value

    Basic

    From Server Name field

    sanfrancisco

    From Form Name field

    Distributed Mapping

    To Server Name field

    chicago

    To Form Name field

    Distributed Mapping

    Options

    When to Update field

    Immediately

    Transfer Mode field

    Data Only

    Transfer to Target

    Auto Map dialog box

    Match Names

    Return from Target

    Auto Map dialog box

    Match Names

    See Creating-distributed-mappings and Distributed-transfer-scenario.

  2. On the sanfrancisco server, create a distributed mapping named Distributed Mapping: sanfrancisco to toronto between the Distributed Mapping forms on the sanfrancisco and toronto servers. In the Distributed Mapping editor, use these values:

    Panel

    Item

    Value

    Basic

    From Server Name field

    sanfrancisco

    From Form Name field

    Distributed Mapping

    To Server Name field

    toronto

    To Form Name field

    Distributed Mapping

    Options

    When to Update field

    Immediately

    Transfer Mode field

    Data Only

    Transfer to Target

    Auto Map dialog box

    Match IDs

    Return from target

    Auto Map dialog box

    Match IDs

    See Creating-distributed-mappings and Distributed-transfer-scenario.

  3. Create a filter with two DSO Transfer actions.
    Both actions should execute on Submit and Modify. Use the following action names. No qualification is necessary.

    The [confluence_table-plus] macro is a standalone macro and it cannot be used inline. Click on this message for details.

    Use the same filter to transfer requests from the sanfrancisco server to the chicago server and from the sanfrancisco server to the toronto server. Define the transfers as separate filter actions, which execute in order when the criteria on the sanfrancisco server is met.
    See Creating-workflow-to-perform-DSO-operations.

  4. Test the broadcast by creating or modifying a distributed mapping on the sanfrancisco server. 
    Data-only copies of the requests should appear in the Distributed Mapping forms on the chicago and toronto servers.
  5. To broadcast distributed mappings for the Distributed Pool form from the sanfrancisco server to the chicago and toronto servers, repeat these steps for the Distributed Pool form.

 

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