While Active Promoter Extension

Updating large databases is time-consuming work. Since information systems must be available around the clock to meet business requirements and support Web-based applications and global networks, it is a great challenge for companies to find time to make data file changes.

THE SOLUTION

ARCAD-Deliver/WAP (While Active Promoter) reduces downtime associated with large data file updates for 24/7 business applications. Using state-of-the-art high availability and release management processes, it enables updates to the structure of large files (which could otherwise last several hours/days) during normal application operation. This way, files can be upgraded without interrupting users. Downtime is limited to the few minutes it takes to apply final changes and move converted files into production. Throughout the entire process, users have normal read/write authorities and continue to work normally.

With ARCAD-Deliver/WAP, IT departments don’t have to worry about scheduling lengthy downtime. This means they can react immediately to the change requests that keep a company competitive. ARCAD-Deliver/WAP consists of several standard and customizable processes that cover all of these needs. The solution is highly automated, facilitating implementation and guaranteeing ease-of-use.

FEATURES

• Markup of files in the repository to be processed in WAP Mode: At the ARCAD core level, it is possible to indicate that particular files will make use of the ARCAD WAP procedure during the transfer to production (or test/pre-production) phases.
• Indication of data copy/recovery mechanisms on files modified in a version: For each structural modification to a file, users can specify a specific copy and/or data recovery requirement.
• Transfer to production process in 3 phases: The transfer to production consists of the following phases.

· Setup of a replication area for files to be handled in WAP mode.
During this phase, the files to be processed are placed empty with all their indexes in a specific area (the "WAPLIB”) associated with the target environment.  This phase is carried out during normal application operation.

· Startup of copy mode.
In a way similar to high availability solutions, the tool performs a data copy from the source environment towards the replication area, until the files are fully "synchronized." This phase can last several hours or even days, depending on the volume of data to replicate. It is performed during normal application operation and will stay active until the next phase in order to ensure that the files remain synchronized.

· Switchover to the new version.
This is the only phase that requires an interruption in operation. Its objective is to transfer all objects from the new version to production by placing them into the target environment in a "traditional" manner, as well as switching the files from the replication area to the target environment by a simple move or rename operation. Operation is stopped during this phase, which typically lasts only minutes.

THE ADVANTAGES

Since all of these steps are performed using ARCAD technology, it is easy to add functionality such as calls to external functions, or message transfers, at any point in the procedure.

Used in the context of application release management, ARCAD-Deliver/WAP will:

• Drastically reduce the time needed to transfer new application versions into production and therefore leave a much wider time window open for users,
• Make use of complementary ARCAD mechanisms to provide further high-level features such as transfer security (rollback option) and full traceability for both processes and components.

ARCAD-Deliver/WAP lets users structure the new file's members and its related logical files exactly as they are structured in production, so the conversion proceeds smoothly.