Overview
The Agent File Monitor task allows you to monitor a specific remote machine for the creation, deletion, change, existence, or non-existence of one or more files at a specific location. In order to run an Agent File Monitor task, you need Universal Agent for Windows, Linux/Unix, or z/OS running on the machine where you are monitoring for the file.
Processing Flow for Agent File Monitors
Agent File Monitor tasks are meant to be launched either by using a Agent File Monitor trigger or by being included within a Workflow. However, there are no technical restrictions on how an Agent File Monitor task can be launched. The processing may differ depending on which of the following methods was used to launch it:
- Launched by a Workflow
- Launched by an Agent File Monitor trigger
- Launched manually or by another trigger type
The processing on an Agent File Monitor task for each launching method is described below.
Note
Any changes made to an Agent File Monitor task are not recognized by its respective Triggers until those Triggers are disabled and re-enabled.
Launching an Agent File Monitor Task Within a Workflow
The Agent File Monitor task can be launched within a Workflow.
In this scenario, the task launches when the upstream workflow conditions are satisfied. Workflow processing then pauses until the conditions in the Agent File Monitor task are satisfied. If the Agent File Monitor is watching for the creation, change, or deletion of a file, the task goes to SUCCESS when the event occurs. If the Agent File Monitor is watching for the existence or non-existence of a file, the task immediately goes to SUCCESS or FAILURE. Subsequent processing depends on the conditions built into the Workflow.
The following diagram illustrates the processing for this scenario.
Launching an Agent File Monitor Task Using an Agent File Monitor Trigger
A common use for the Agent File Monitor task is to launch it using an Agent File Monitor trigger, which specifies one or more tasks that are launched when a condition(s) is satisfied.
In this scenario, the Agent File Monitor task launches when its associated Agent File Monitor trigger is enabled.
Note
You should use an Agent File Monitor trigger to launch only Agent File Monitor tasks that specify a single Agent, not an Agent Cluster. An Agent File Monitor trigger can launch only a single task, not multiple tasks, which would be the case if an Agent Cluster was specified.
This method is best geared toward watching for the creation, deletion, or change in files. When the conditions in the Agent File Monitor task are satisfied, the Agent File Monitor task goes to SUCCESS and the tasks listed in the associated trigger are launched. The Agent File Monitor task continues running until its conditions are satisfied or until the user disables the trigger.
If you use this method to check for the existence or non-existence of a file, as soon as the task is launched it goes to SUCCESS or FINISHED status. If it goes to SUCCESS, the tasks specified in the trigger are launched. A FINISHED status indicates that it found a file that should not be there or did not find a file that should be there. Both of these cases constitute a "failure" of the conditions and therefore the tasks in the trigger are not launched.
When the Agent File Monitor task goes to FINISHED or SUCCESS, the associated Agent File (Monitor) trigger is automatically disabled.
Note
Using an Agent File Monitor trigger to trigger an Agent File Monitor task that is monitoring for the creation of one or more files (Agent File Monitor Task#Monitor Type = Exists) will disable the trigger. You should instead specify (Agent File Monitor Task#Monitor Type = Create) and check Agent File Monitor Task#Trigger on Existence.
When you launch an Agent File Monitor task from an Agent File Monitor trigger, you cannot manually cancel or force finish the task. You can only stop the task by disabling the trigger. If you manually disable the trigger while the task is still running, the task goes to FINISHED status.
The diagram below illustrates the processing flow for this scenario.
Launching an Agent File Monitor Task Manually or Via Other Trigger
If you manually launch an Agent File Monitor task or launch it using a non-Agent File Monitor trigger, such as a Time trigger, the task continues running until its specified conditions are met, at which time the task goes to SUCCESS. No other processing occurs unless you have configured notifications with the task or set up some other task(s) to launch based on the status of this task.
If the conditions are not met, the task runs perpetually or until a user issues a Cancel or Force Finish command against it.
Built-In Variables
The following built-in variables can be used in an Agent File Monitor task to pass data where appropriate:
Creating an Agent File Monitor Task
Step 1 | From the Automation Center navigation pane, select Tasks > Agent File Monitor Tasks. The Agent File Monitor Tasks list displays a list of all currently defined Agent File Monitor tasks. |
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Step 2 | Enter/select Details for a new Agent File Monitor task, using the field descriptions below as a guide.To display more of the Details fields on the screen, you can either:
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Step 3 | Click a Save button. The task is added to the database, and all buttons and tabs in the Task Details are enabled. |
Note
To open an existing record on the list, either:
- Click a record in the list to display its record Details below the list. (To clear record Details below the list, click the New button that displays above and below the Details.)
- Clicking the Details icon next to a record name in the list, or right-click a record in the list and then click Open in the Action menu that displays, to display a pop-up version of the record Details.
- Right-click a record in the a list, or open a record and right-click in the record Details, and then click Open In Tab in the Action menu that displays, to display the record Details under a new tab on the record list page (see Record Details as Tabs).
Agent File Monitor Task Details
The following Agent File Monitor Task Details is for an existing Agent File Monitor task.
Depending on the values that you enter / select for these fields, and whether or not the Agent File Monitor task has ever been launched, more (or less) fields may display. See the field descriptions, below, for a description of all fields that may display in the Agent File Monitor Task Details.
Agent File Monitor Task Details Field Descriptions
The following table describes the fields, buttons, and tabs that display in the Agent File Monitor Task Details.
Field Name | Description |
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General | This section contains general information about the task. |
Name | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Version | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Description | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Member of Business Services | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Resolve Name Immediately | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Time Zone Preference | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Hold on Start | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Hold Reason | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Virtual Resource Priority | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Hold Resources on Failure | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Details | This section contains assorted detailed information about the Agent / Agent Cluster selected for this task. |
Cluster | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Variable | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Cluster | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Cluster Variable | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Broadcast | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Cluster Broadcast | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Cluster Broadcast Variable | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Credentials | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Credentials Variable | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent File Monitor Details | This section contains assorted detailed information about the task. |
Monitor Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Trigger on Existence | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Monitor File(s) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Use Regular Expression | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Recursive | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Maximum Files | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
File Owner | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Stable (seconds) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
By Percentage (+/-) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
By Size (+/-) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
By Scale | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
To Size | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
To Scale | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Minimum File Size | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Minimum File Scale | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Scan Text | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Scan Forward | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait / Delay Options | This section contains specifications for waiting to start and/or delaying on start the task. |
Wait To Start | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Duration In Seconds | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Delay On Start | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Delay Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Delay Duration In Seconds | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Workflow Only | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Time Options | This section contains time-related statistics for task instances of the task. |
Late Start | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Nth Amount | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Offset Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Percentage Offset ( + ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Duration Offset ( + ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Duration Offset Unit | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Nth Amount | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Offset Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Percentage Offset ( - ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Duration Offset ( - ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Duration Offset Unit | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Nth Amount | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
User Estimated Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Critical Path Options | This section contains Critical Path-related specifications for the task. |
CP Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
CP Duration (Resolved) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
CP Duration Unit | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Workflow Execution Options | This section contains Execution Restriction specifications for the task if it is within a Workflow. |
Execution Restriction | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Restriction Period | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Before Date | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Before Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
After Date | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
After Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Date List | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Statistics | This section contains time-related statistics for task instances of the task. |
First Execution | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Last Execution | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Last Instance Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Lowest Instance Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Average Instance Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Highest Instance Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Number of Instances | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Metadata | This section contains Metadata information about this record. |
UUID | Universally Unique Identifier of this record. |
Updated By | Name of the user that last updated this record. |
Updated | Date and time that this record was last updated. |
Created By | Name of the user that created this record. |
Created | Date and time that this record was created. |
Buttons | This section identifies the buttons displayed above and below the Task Details that let you perform various actions. |
Save | Saves a new task record in the Controller database. |
Save & New | Saves a new record in the Controller database and redisplays empty Details so that you can create another new record. |
Save & View | Saves a new record in the Controller database and continues to display that record. |
New | Displays empty (except for default values) Details for creating a new task. |
Update | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Launch Task | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
View Parents | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Copy | Creates a copy of this task, which you are prompted to rename. |
Delete | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. Note You cannot delete a task if it is either:
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Refresh | Refreshes any dynamic data displayed in the Details. |
Close | For pop-up view only; closes the pop-up view of this task. |
Tabs | This section identifies the tabs across the top of the Task Details that provide access to additional information about the task. |
Variables | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Actions | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Virtual Resources | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Mutually Exclusive | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Instances | Lists all instances of the task. |
Agent File Monitor Triggers | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Triggers | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Notes | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Versions | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Viewing an Agent File Monitor Task Instance
When an Agent File Monitor task is launched, the Controller creates a task instance record of that task.
A task instance contains detailed information about a single execution of that task.
You can access a task instance from:
- Instances tab on the Agent File Monitor Task#Agent File Monitor Task Details for that task
- Activity Monitor
- Task Instances list
Agent File Monitor Task Instance Details
The following Agent File Monitor Task Instance Details contains information on the execution of the task shown in the Agent File Monitor Task#Agent File Monitor Task Details.
Agent File Monitor Task Instance Details Field Descriptions
The following table describes the fields, buttons, and tabs that display in Agent File Monitor Task Instance Details.
Field Name | Description |
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General | This section contains general information about the task instance. |
Instance Name | Name of this task instance. |
Instance Number | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Description | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Member of Business Services | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Task | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Source Version | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Launch Source | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Source Instance | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Invoked by | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Execution User | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Calendar | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Time Zone Preference | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Virtual Resource Priority | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Hold Resources on Failure | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Status | This section contains information about the current status of the task instance. |
Status | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Exit Code | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Status Description | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Operational Memo | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Evaluation Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Critical | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Until Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Queued Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Trigger Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Launch Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Start Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
End Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Details | This section contains assorted detailed information about the Agent / Agent Cluster selected for this task. |
Cluster | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Variable | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Cluster | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent Cluster Variable | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Credentials | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Credentials Variable | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Agent File Monitor Details | This section contains assorted detailed information about the task instance. |
Monitor Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Trigger on Existence | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Monitor File(s) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Use Regular Expression | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Recursive | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Maximum Files | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
File Owner | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Stable (seconds) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
By Percentage (+/-) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
By Size (+/-) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
By Scale | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
To Size | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
To Scale | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Minimum File Size | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Minimum File Scale | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Scan Text | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Scan Forward | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait / Delay Options | This section contains specifications for waiting to start and/or delaying on start the task. |
Wait To Start | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Wait Duration In Seconds | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Delay On Start | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Delay Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Delay Duration In Seconds | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Time Options | This section contains time-related specifications for the task instance. |
Late Start | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Started Late | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Nth Amount | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Start Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Computed Late Start Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Finished Late | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Offset Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Percentage Offset ( + ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Duration Offset ( + ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Duration Offset Unit | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Nth Amount | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Late Finish Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Computed Late Finish Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Finished Early | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Offset Type | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Percentage Offset ( - ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Duration Offset ( - ) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Duration Offset Unit | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Day Constraint | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Nth Amount | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Early Finish Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Projected Late | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Critical Path Options | This section contains Critical Path-related specifications for the task. |
CP Duration | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
CP Duration (Resolved) | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
CP Duration Unit | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Workflow Execution Options | This section contains Execution Restriction specifications for the task if it is within a Workflow. |
Execution Restriction | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Restriction Period | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Before Date | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Before Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
After Date | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
After Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Date List | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Statistics | This section contains time-related statistics for the task instance. |
User Estimated End Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Lowest Estimated End Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Average Estimated End Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Highest Estimated End Time | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Projected End Time | System-supplied; projected end time of the task instance, calculated by the Controller based on the projected end time of its predecessor (or the maximum projected end time of all its predecessors, if more than one path exists to that task instance) plus its estimated critical path duration. |
Metadata | This section contains Metadata information about this record. |
UUID | Universally Unique Identifier of this record. |
Updated By | Name of the user that last updated this record. |
Updated | Date and time that this record was last updated. |
Created By | Name of the user that created this record. |
Created | Date and time that this record was created. |
Status History | History of all statuses that the task instance has gone through. |
Buttons | This section identifies the buttons displayed above and below the Task Instance Details that let you perform various actions. |
Update | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Force Finish | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Hold | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Skip | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Re-run | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
View Parent | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Retrieve Output | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Delete | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Refresh | Refreshes any dynamic data displayed in the Details. |
Close | For pop-up view only; closes the pop-up view of this task instance. |
Tabs | This section identifies the tabs across the top of the Task Instance Details that provide access to additional information about the task instance. |
Virtual Resources | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Exclusive Requests | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Notes | Unable to render {include} The included page could not be found. |
Monitoring Task Execution
You can monitor all system activity from the Activity Monitor and can view activity history from the History list.