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How the Robust Network Layer Feature Works
Customize Robust Network Layer Feature
The CommServe coordinates all the activities within the CommCell. This includes starting and managing data protection jobs, receiving updates from them and also recording their final as well as intermediate job status conditions. Each data protection job consists of several phases, each of which is initiated and managed by the CommServe computer. The CommServe also checks for the liveliness and continued operation of each of the phases.
Such a centralized architecture allows for ease of administration, reporting and monitoring. Given the scalability and flexibility of the software's architecture, a CommServe located at a one location can manage a CommCell that spans a wide variety of networks and geographic locations. The actual data in the CommCell flows from the Client computer to the MediaAgent. Often, these two computers are located at the same site connected by a Local Area Network (LAN); however, their connectivity to the CommServe is via a Wide Area Network (WAN) or Virtual Private Network (VPN), which are more prone to glitches and temporary outages.
When a data protection activity is in progress, there is a significant time and resource investment in transferring and saving the data to the target media. If this data protection operation were disrupted due to a WAN glitch, the investment would be at risk. Some of the database backups (e.g., Exchange, Oracle) need to be restarted from the beginning, which can be costly in addition to time consuming.
The purpose of the Robust Network Layer feature is to protect this investment of time and resources when these network glitches occur. It allows the connections between a CommServe, MediaAgent, and client to be retried at set intervals, if there is any loss of connectivity.
During the data transfer phase of a backup operation, which runs on a MediaAgent and client, the Job Manager will periodically need to communicate directives to the CommServe (via a WAN or VPN). If during this time, a loss of network connectivity is detected, the Robust Network Layer feature enables the Job Manager to keep the job in a Running (Cannot be verified) job state, visible in the Job Controller, for up to 20 minutes while continuously checking for network connectivity at set intervals, e.g., every 30 seconds. Though the default amount of time the system will hold a job in a running state when there is loss of connectivity is up to 20 minutes, users can edit the Robust Network Layer default configuration, refer to Customize Robust Network Layer Feature.
During an installation of a CommServe, a Client or an Agent, the Robust Network Layer feature is automatically enabled by default. To disable the feature, refer to Enable/Disable the Robust Network Layer. To change the intervals at which the network connectivity will be checked as well as the number of times for each retry, refer to Change the Robust Network Layer Configuration.
Installation
During an installation of a CommServe, a Client or an Agent, the Robust Network Layer feature is enabled by default.
Upgrade
Windows Platforms
During an upgrade of a CommServe, Client or Agent, the Robust Network Layer settings remain unchanged from the previous version. To enable the Robust Network Layer feature on an upgraded Windows computer, see Enable/Disable the Robust Network Layer.
UNIX Platforms
During an upgrade of a CommServe, Client or Agent, the Robust Network Layer registry key settings remain unchanged from the previous version. To enable the Robust Network Layer feature on an upgraded UNIX computer, see Enable/Disable the Robust Network Layer.