Appendix G

Appendix G

Running SICS Scheduler as a Windows Service #

SICS Scheduler may be run as a Windows service using the wrapper functionality provided by Apache commons daemon. This applies only when starting the scheduler in unattended mode (using one of the -b options, see Appendix C - Command line parameters).

Initial Installation #

  1. The SICS System Administration Utility must be installed in a local drive on the computer.
  2. The System Administration Utility must be configured to use only resources on local drives on the computer. For instance configurations files and walkback folder must refer to local files and folders.
  3. Log on to Windows as a user with administrator rights on that computer.
  4. Unzip the archive windows-service.zip from the SICS installation files to a local folder.
  5. Edit the file InstallSICSBatchSchedulerService.bat with settings for the environment. The file contains and documents a number of variables that can be modified. The following variables must be modified for the script to work:
    • SICS_HOME - path to the SICS installation directory. This directory must have subfolders runtime and jre.
    • MANAGER_HOME - absolute path to the location where windows-service.zip is extracted.
    • LOGIN_USER/PASSWORD/DATABASE and SICS_SCHEMA - items needed for database login
  6. The default service name is SICSBatchSchedulerService. This can be changed by editing SERVICE_NAME in InstallSICSBatchSchedulerService.bat.
  7. The SICS batch scheduler, whether running as a service or not, runs with a named scheduler configuration, which is maintained from the SICS System Administration Utility. In InstallSICSBatchSchedulerService.bat no specific configuration name is given, which means the scheduler will use the ‘DEFAULT’ configuration. If desired, a specific named configuration can be set by editing the -b parameter in CG_START_PARAMS. For example, to use the ACCT scheduler configuration, change -b to -bn:ACCT. It is also possible to change the -b parameter in the service manager application, on the Startup tab.
  8. Run InstallSICSBatchSchedulerService.bat as administrator. This will install the service in Windows. It will also create two files in the %SICS_HOME%/runtime folder: SICSBatchSchedulerService.exe and SICSBatchSchedulerServicew.exe. The latter is to be used for configuring, starting and stopping the service. The service can also be started and stopped from the Services view in Microsoft Windows.
  9. Upon completion the service manager application will appear. This can be used to configure the service. In Figure 17 to Figure 20 below are some sample screenshots that show what properties must or can be set.
  10. When done configuring the service, click OK.

Updating The Installation #

  1. Log on to Windows as a user with administrator rights on that computer.
  2. Edit the file InstallSICSBatchSchedulerService.bat. Change command line from ..//IS//.. to ..//US//.. as instructed in the file. Make any other desired changes.
  3. Run InstallSICSBatchSchedulerService.bat as administrator. This will new update the service in Windows.
  4. Upon completion the service manager application will appear. This can be used to configure the service.
  5. When done configuring the service, click OK.

Running The Scheduler Service #

  1. Log on to Windows as a user with administrator rights on that computer.
  2. Navigate to the %SICS_HOME%/runtime folder. Run SICSBatchSchedulerServicew.exe as administrator. The service manager application will appear. Click the Start or Stop button to start or stop the service. The service can also be stopped and started from the Services view in Microsoft Windows.
  3. Look at log files to monitor the progress. If you are not able to start the service, look in the log file for error messages.
  4. Please note that the SICS Scheduler is a window-based application even though it does not require user input. Consequently, the user may get notification from some versions of Microsoft Windows that “A program running on this computer is trying to display a message”. These notifications can safely be ignored. Clicking on View the message will simply show the SICS Scheduler GUI.
  5. Note that the scheduler service CANNOT be stopped from the SICS Scheduler GUI. Stop the service either by using SICSBatchSchedulerServicew.exe or by stopping it from the Services view in Microsoft Windows. When stopping the service, it will be given a grace period of up to 100 seconds to complete the existing job. In other circumstances, for instance when rebooting the computer, it may be terminated even quicker. In such circumstances the last actual job run by the scheduler may be left in status ‘Processing’.

install_16.png

Figure 16 SICS Scheduler Service message notification.

install_17.png

Figure 17 Service Log On information.

Setting Allow service to interact with desktop must be enabled. This is the default.

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Figure 18 Service Logging information

Use of log files is highly recommended.

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Figure 19 Batch Service Java Properties

Memory settings can be modified. Make sure the batch instance has sufficient memory to run the scheduled jobs. For further documentation, please refer to the Memory Settings document.

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Figure 20 Service Startup Properties

The arguments field contain SICS Application Command Line Arguments, see: Appendix C - Command line parameters). Enter one command line argument on each line in the text box.

Controlling The Scheduler Service #

  1. Log on to Windows as a user with administrator rights on that computer.
  2. Navigate to the %SICS_HOME%/runtime folder. Run SICSBatchSchedulerServicew.exe as administrator. The service manager application will appear. Click the Start or Stop button to start or stop the service. The service can also be stopped and started from the Services view in Microsoft Windows.