SmartAppLets

Small application programs known as SmartAppLets are available. SmartAppLets help you better manage your computer systems. SmartAppLets can be configured as Operations in the SmartBatch Administrator or run by another application. Some of the SmartAppLets can be configured using the SmartBatch Automation Wizards. You should use the Automation Wizards to help simplify setup.

If you have suggestions for SmartAppLets that you would like to see in future versions, please contact OnLine ToolWorks Corporation and let us know.

Running SmartAppLets

Clicking on any of the links below will display the command line options for the SmartAppLet. Examples of how to run the SmartAppLet from the command line can be found in a the subdirectory for the SmartAppLet in a file called cmdline.bat (for example, c:\Program Files\SmartBatch\SmartAppLets\SmartNotify\cmdline.bat).

Smart Database Operation

From the Operations Properties window you can run an automation wizard that will help create an Operation to run activity against any major database management system (dbms) such as: SQL Server.  You can select from a template of connection strings, enter the SQL statement or stored procedure and the wizard creates the Operation for you.  This Operation uses the Smart Database Operation SmartAppLet to interact with the dbms.   This makes it possible and easy to use SmartBatch to automate your routine dbms activity.

Click this link for more information: Smart Database Operation.

SmartBackup (SQL Server only)

The SmartBackup SmartAppLet provides a way to backup the SmartBatch database.  As with any important data it is prudent to maintain a backup.  SmartBackup can be configured as an Operation in SmartBatch so that a backup of the SmartBatch database occurs on a regular basis.

When SmartBackup is run it creates or appends too a backup file.  This file is placed into the Backup directory which is located in the directory where the SmartBackup.exe file is placed.  You should run SmartBackup.exe and SmartRestore.exe from the same directory.  If you want the location of the backup directory to be on a specific drive you should run these program from that drive location.   For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartDeleteHistory (Can be configured with Automation Wizard)

The SmartDeleteHistory SmartAppLet allows you to delete records from the SmartBatch History on a scheduled basis. If you specify to write to History on Start, Success or Failure on the Operation Properties window and write to  SmartBatch History, records are written to the database. The size of the database will then grow over time. You need to decide how long you want to maintain this information.   For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartGroupUser

The SmartGroupUser SmartAppLet provides you with the ability to add or delete the SmartBatch roles to a domain.  A role is essentially a Windows group.  This is necessary when the Windows Integrated security option is select on Manage Roles properties.   For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartNotify

SmartNotify allows you to notify an Alert List with the message specified. This is can be used as an Operation or within your own scripts when you decide someone needs to be notified of an event. It can also be combined with a program like the NT Performance Monitor as described below.  For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartProcessMonitor

SmartProcessMonitor provides the ability to determine if a process is running or not running. It can also start or stop a process and create notification events. If the process is running and you don't want it running you can specify a ProcessAction to stop the process, create a notification event or execute an object on demand. If a process is not running and you want to start it, SmartProcessMonitor will start the process.  For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartRestore (SQL Server only)

SmartRestore provides the ability to restore a backup of the SmartBatch database.  The backup must have been created using SmartBackup.  If the SmartBatch is inadvertently deleted or some how becomes corrupt, the SmartRestore SmartAppLet can be used from a command prompt to restore a previous backup.  If you have not previously run SmartBackup and have not backed up the SmartBatch using any of the SQL Server tools, you will not be able to restore the database.   For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartSendMail

SmartSendMail provides the capability to send Email messages with attachments. The body of the message is identified by a file name and any number of attachments can be added. The SmartSendMail capability supports the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).  For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartServiceMonitor

SmartServiceMonitor provides the ability to determine the state of a service and to control a service. It can start, stop, pause or continue a service, create a notification event or execute an object on demand. You can control services using this program or create a notification event if a service is in a specific state. By specifying the Computer you can monitor and control the state of any service on your network.  For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartSetParameter

SmartSetParameter provides the ability to change the value of a SmartBatch Parameter. This is useful is situation where you want to update the value of a Parameter within your own script/processing.  For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.

SmartWait

SmartWait provides the ability to setup an Operation that simply waits. This may be useful in a Step where you want to wait a certain amount of time before the next Operation in the Step is processed. SmartWait provides an efficient way to wait. All other objects configured will process as desired. It is only the Step with the SmartWait Operation that waits the amount of time you specify. For example, suppose you have a Step with 3 Operations that do the following:

•Shutdown database service

•Backup database

•Start database service

A problem that will occur with some database systems, is that the Shutdown will indicate completion before all the files in the database have been closed. Some files will then be skipped by the backup of the database in the second Operation. SmartWait can be used as an Operation after Shutdown Database to solve this timing problem.

The Step would then accomplish the following:

1.Shut down database service.

2.SmartWait.exe timeDelay=60 (wait for 60 seconds for the database to shutdown. Note that the time for your database may be different).

3.Back up the database.

4.Start database service.

For more information see the example in the directory where the SmartAppLet was installed.