Hints

Hints are optional and used to track manual changes made to a Library. Those changes are propagated to other back-ups either when they are connected using the Run button or at back-up time.


The changes that tracked are rename, move and delete. Additions or copies are a normal part of ELS back-up operations and do not involve Hints.


When enabled Hints are automatically created when any tracked action is performed on a Library. Hints are not tracked on System tab content.


When tracked actions are performed ELS checks for conflicts with existing Hints and will cancel the action and display a message dialog. If multiple ELS instances (Navigators) are participating they must all have "live" connections to a Hint Tracker/Server for Hints and conflicts to be tracked and detected.


When opening a Publisher the Collection/Workstation radio button controls whether Hints are tracked for actions on that Library. Collections are tracked, Workstations are not. This supports ELS Navigator running on a computer used to create content with a Collection as the Subscriber. The Collection may have one or more back-ups all using Hints.

Requirements

For Hints to be enabled the following is required:

Hint Keys

After one or more Libraries have been created use System, Hint Keys to create name/key pairs. The name may only use alphanumeric characters with no special characters or whitespace. The key is one of the existing Library keys. Use the Key List button to select one from a list.


Hint Track/Server Library keys should not be in Hint Keys.

Hint Tracker/Server

A Hint Tracker is a Library created to hold the Hints data.

A Hint Tracker is ELS configured to use Hints where the data is stored locally on the system running ELS. It's build-in.


A Hint Server is ELS running as a separate process (on another computer) using a Hint Tracker library, similar to a Subscriber Listener. When used remotely a valid network name or IP address and port are required, e.g. 10.1.1.5:50271

Executing Hints

Hints are designed so they may be propagated to back-ups later during back-up operations. However Hints may also be executed on any connected library that is participating in Hints using the Run button.


Once all back-ups participating in Hints have executed a Hint the Hint is removed.


Note:

These options must be defined on the command line, or in an Operation that can also be used as a Task in a Job.


Hint Keys:

-k | --keys [file] or -K | --keys-only [file]


Hint Tracker/Server:

-h | --hints [files} or -H | --hint-server [file]


Both options are required.


For a remote Hint Server the Authentication Keys option is also required.

-A | --auth-keys [file]


The -K | --keys-only option executes Hints and other back-up options, such as --duplicates, but does not perform a back-up operation.


For new remote configurations it is easiest to copy the library and system files to each ELS instance using something like Filezilla.