Functional Relationship with Other TED Objects

The following illustrates a Channel's relationship with Distributions and Subscribers:

The Distributions are listed in the Channel, and the Subscribers subscribe to the Channel.

Channel Description

Distributors can list one Distribution in multiple Channels, and multiple Distributors can list their Distributions in the same Channel.

You can have as many Channels as you want. Channels do not hold the actual Distributions---only a reference to them. There is no limit to the number of Distribution references a Channel can send. The practical limit is how many Distributions you want to track per Channel.

Scheduling

A Channel's Send schedule determines when a Distribution can be sent from the Distributor to its Subscribers.

A Channel can be active or inactive to control when its Distributions can be sent.

For information on how time zones can affect scheduling between a Channel and its associated Distributors and Subscribers, see TED Object Scheduling Issues.

Subscriptions to Channels

Channels can be subscribed to by multiple Subscribers.

To receive a Distribution, a Subscriber must subscribe to the Channel where that Distribution is listed. However, a Subscriber will receive all of the Distributions listed in that Channel, which means they will all be applied to the Subscriber server when they are extracted.

Determining the Channel Names

In naming Channels, use a descriptive method. For example:

   VirusProtect 
   VProtectPatterns 
   VirusProtection 
   NW51patch4 
   NW6patch1 
   AUTOEXECNCF000326

You will be able to manage your Channels more easily by:

• Using names that are purpose oriented
• Using a similar name for the Channel and its Distributions

Creating the Channel Objects

Channels are used to group Distributions and establish a schedule for passing a Distributor's Distributions to Subscribers that are subscribed to the Channel. A Channel can have Distributions from many Distributors. A Channel can be subscribed to by many Subscribers.

To create a Channel object:

1. In ConsoleOne, select a container object to hold the Channel object > click File > New > Object > Channel.

2. Provide a name for the Channel object > click OK.

3. Create as many Channel objects as needed to group Distributions by type and/or send schedule.

Configuring the Channels

You need to configure a Channel object before you can begin using it.

Not all properties associated with the Channel object are required. Required objects are noted; all others are optional.

To configure the Channel object:

1. In ConsoleOne, right-click the Channel object > click Properties.

2. Click the General tab > fill in the fields:

   Active: Click the check box to enable the Channel to pass on its Distributions.

   Description: Provide a useful description, such as what Distributions the Channel is associated with.

3. Click the Distributions tab > click Add to add Distributions.

   Distributions: List of Distributions that are associated with this Channel. For information on creating Distribution packages, see Distributions.

4. Click the Subscribers tab > click Add to add Subscribers to the Channel.

   Subscribers Subscribed to This Channel: List of Subscribers and External Subscribers that are subscribed to this Channel.

5. Click the Schedule tab > select a schedule for when to distribute the Channel's Distributions.

   For information on available schedules, see Scheduling.