Remote Instances
Theme: Configure
Who Is It For? Automation Engineer, Application Owner
What Is It?
A remote instance is an instance of OpCon that runs on a remote server. Once connection information is defined, instances can communicate and share properties. Tokens used in expression dependencies in one environment can reference properties in another environment.
If a job has an expression dependency on a remote OpCon instance and that instance is unavailable (database server not running or network issue), the job goes On Hold.
The following fields apply to defining remote instances:
- Name: Name of the remote instance
- Documentation: Area for descriptions and notes about the remote instance
- For information on inserting hyperlinks into the Documentation area, refer to Entering and Opening Hyperlinks in the Documentation Frame in the Enterprise Manager online help
- Server: Name of the server where the database resides
- Database: Name of the database to connect to
- User: Authorized SQL Server username for connecting to the database
- Password: Password for the authorized SQL Server user
- Windows Authentication: Use Windows Authentication to connect to the database
- The SMA Service Manager must run as a user with privileges to the OpCon database. For more information, refer to Add the OpConxps Active Directory Group to the SQL Server in the OpCon Installation online help
- Mirroring On: Indicates the instance uses mirroring so the proper connection string is used
- Transparent Network IP Resolution: Specifies how to resolve the IP address when issues arise. Available options:
- Auto: Automatically detects Network IP resolution. This is the default
- Disabled: Disables transparent Network IP resolution
- Enabled: Enables transparent Network IP resolution
Configuration Options
| Setting | What It Does | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Name of the remote instance | — | — |
| Documentation | Area for descriptions and notes about the remote instance | — | — |
| Server | Name of the server where the database resides | — | — |
| Database | Name of the database to connect to | — | — |
| User | Authorized SQL Server username for connecting to the database | — | — |
| Password | Password for the authorized SQL Server user | — | — |
| Windows Authentication | Use Windows Authentication to connect to the database | — | — |
| Mirroring On | Indicates the instance uses mirroring so the proper connection string is used | — | — |
| Transparent Network IP Resolution | Specifies how to resolve the IP address when issues arise. | — | — |
FAQs
Q: What is a remote instance used for?
A remote instance defines connection information for another OpCon environment running on a separate server. Once defined, tokens in expression dependencies can reference properties in the remote instance's environment.
Q: What happens if a job has an expression dependency on a remote instance that is unavailable?
If the remote OpCon instance is unavailable (for example, due to a database server outage or network issue), the dependent job is placed On Hold.
Q: Does Windows Authentication work for remote instance connections?
Yes. Select Windows Authentication to connect using Windows credentials instead of SQL Server username and password. The SMA Service Manager must run as a user with privileges to the remote OpCon database.
Glossary
SMAServMan (SMA Service Manager): Manages the starting, stopping, and restarting of all OpCon server programs. Monitors configured applications and restarts them automatically if they fail unexpectedly.
Enterprise Manager (EM): OpCon's rich client graphical user interface for Windows and Linux, used to define schedules and jobs, manage automation data, and perform operational tasks.
OpConxps: The standard installation directory name for OpCon program files, configuration files, and output data on Windows machines.
Privilege: A specific permission granted through an OpCon role that controls access to a feature, function, or object type. Privileges are organized into categories such as Function Privileges, Machine Privileges, Schedule Privileges, and Access Codes.
Job: The fundamental unit of work in OpCon. A job defines what to run, on which machine, when to start, and what conditions must be met. Job results are tracked and can trigger events and notifications.
OpCon: Continuous' workflow automation platform. The OpCon server includes the database, SAM and Supporting Services (SAM-SS), and graphical user interfaces. agents installed on target platforms run jobs and report results.