7.6.16 Priority distribution of packages
When packages such as highly urgent security patches are to be distributed, they can be distributed on a priority basis.
An overview of priority distribution is shown in the table below.
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Function |
Content |
|---|---|
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Priority setting |
Specifies priority of packages when packaging. |
|
Download sort |
Agent that receives distribution job automatically changes order of download according to package priority. |
The priority distribution and suspended distribution functions differ as described below.
- Priority distribution function
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When various packages are being distributed, the priority of the packages to be distributed can be defined. This function is used when it is desirable to increase the priority of important packages to be distributed.
- Suspended distribution function
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This function is used when it is desirable to distribute important packages despite distribution being suspended due to network loading.
With the priority distribution function, the order of packages to be distributed can be rearranged according to priority during distribution job execution.
- Organization of this subsection
(1) Definition of priority
With a priority distribution function, the priority will be expressed by a numeral from 1 to 9, indicating the level. The larger the number, the higher the priority.
The priority is a relative number that compares the order of priority between packages. The number itself has no meaning. For example, when an ordinary package with priority 7 is being distributed, packages with priority 6 will be distributed at a lower priority.
(2) Processing flow during distribution job execution when using or not using priority distribution function
The following explains the distribution job execution process that is followed when either using or not using the priority distribution function.
(a) Processing flow during distribution job execution when not using priority distribution function
The figure below shows the distribution job execution process that is followed when not using the priority distribution function.
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![[Figure]](GRAPHICS/ZU070610.GIF)
During job execution, a higher system will request an agent to perform distribution processing. The agent receiving the request will accept the job and perform downloading and installation. Also, the agent will periodically check with the higher system to see if the job has been executed. Other jobs will not be accepted during job execution but will be processed one at a time.
(b) Processing flow during distribution job execution when using priority distribution function
The figure below shows the processing flow when higher-priority distribution job 2 is executed during the execution of normal-priority distribution job 1 from a higher system, with the priority distribution function enabled.
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![[Figure]](GRAPHICS/ZU070620.GIF)
When job 1 is being downloaded, the agent pauses downloading to confirm the job with the higher system. It is detected that job 2 is being executed, and job 2 is accepted. Since the job 2 package has higher priority than the job 1 package, downloading of job 1 is suspended and job 2 is downloaded and installed.
(3) Priority specification and operation examples
The priority can be determined and applied as follows:
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Normally, priority 1 is used for distribution. If a package needs to be urgently distributed, priority 2 is used. Later, if a package needs to be distributed with even greater urgency, the priority is raised to 3 or higher.
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Normal packages are distributed with the default priority of 5. If a package can be put off until later due to its large size or other reason, it is given a lower priority value, such as 4.
If a package was created with a previous version of Packager or has no priority, such as a UNIX agent or Mac agent package, the priority will be handled with the default value of 5.
When a stored package is distributed from Remote Install Manager with a priority of other than 1 to 9, it will be handled by the agent as default 5.