Creating scheduled updates by using Spotfire Server

Using the Spotfire Server web administration pages, you can configure and run automated data updates to existing analysis files. This saves time for end users because they do not have to wait for the new data to load, or for data functions to execute, when they open the analysis.

About this task

A scheduled updates (SU) rule specifies that an analysis should be preloaded on a specific resource pool and on a number of Web Player service instances during certain time intervals.

The routing mechanism will route user sessions to the instances where the analysis is preloaded. See Understanding routing for more information. If a user tries to open an analysis that is in the process of loading, they will simply get progress information to wait for the SU loading to finish.

Before you begin

The analysis file to be updated must be in the Spotfire library.
The scheduled updates user service account (scheduledupdates@SPOTFIRESYSTEM) must have Browse & Access permissions to the analysis as well as access to any data source, file or object used by the analysis.
Note: To set library permissions, see Editing folder permissions or use the Library Administration tool in Spotfire Analyst. Alternatively, you can use the copy-library-permissions command to copy library permissions from another user or group.

Note: The following tasks are optional, but you may want to complete them before creating the scheduled update:

If you want this update to run according to a schedule (or several schedules) that you plan to reuse, create the schedules first. For instructions, see Creating schedules.
If you want the updated file to open on specific instances of the Spotfire Web Player, create a resource pool containing those instances. For instructions, see Creating resource pools.

Important: If you are creating a scheduled update for an analysis that is based on data from a prompted or personalized information link, see Scheduled updates with prompted or personalized information links.

About this task

For general information, see Scheduled updates to analyses.

Procedure

Log in to the Spotfire Server web administration pages and click Scheduling & Routing.
On the Rules page, click Create rule.
Under Type, select Analysis rule.
Select the analysis file for which to create the rule and click OK.
If desired, enter a Rule name (the default is the name of the analysis).
Under Select resource pool, do one of the following:
- If you do not want to set a specific resource pool on which to open the analysis, leave Use default routing rule routing selected.
- If you want the analysis to open on a specific resource pool, select it.
  Note: If a scheduled update rule indicates that a file should open on a specific resource pool, this rule overrides any routing rules (for a group or an individual user) that specify a different resource pool for the user who opens the updated file.
If desired, set the number of Spotfire Web Player instances for this rule.
Optional: Set a priority. This setting comes into effect if two or more scheduled updates are scheduled to occur at the same time. 0 is the highest priority.
To set a schedule, do one of the following:
- To update the analysis based on a schedule that has already been created or several schedules, click Add schedule > Saved schedule. In the Saved schedules dialog, select the schedule or schedules that you want to use.
- To create a "unique schedule" for this rule (a schedule that will not be available for reuse), select Add schedule > New schedule. For instructions on setting up the schedule, see Creating a reusable schedule.
Note: Analyses are always updated and loaded at the beginning of each scheduled start time, in addition to the reloads that are set in the Update with new data every field. If the rule is created (and run the first time) at 11:52, with a reload interval of 15 minutes, the following updates with new data will be done at 12:00, 12:15, 12:30, 12:45, 13:00.
If you want the rule to be disabled initially, clear the Enabled check box at the top of the page for the rule. You can enable the rule later from the Rules page under Scheduling & Routing.
Optional: Click Advanced to do one of the following:
- Switch the client update method from automatic to manual.
- Disallow cached and pre-computed data.
For details, see Additional settings for scheduled updates.
When you are done, click Save.

Note: If you are unable to save the information you entered, and your library files are stored externally, see Forcing Java to use IPv4.

Results

The rule is displayed in the Rules list.