18.1 Understanding Workstation Scheduler

This section contains the following topics:

18.1.1 Actions

An action is an object that contains a list of one or more action items (for example, .exe files .dll files, ActiveX*, and JavaScript*). The action applies only to the workstation from which you are running the workstation Scheduler.

Actions and action items can be given a priority, allowing you to specify which action or action item should run first, second, and so forth. You can also schedule actions to automatically run when a workstation event occurs or periodically at a certain time.

You determine the amount of time each action or action item has to complete. If the action cannot occur at the specified time, you can indicate whether to discontinue it, retry it every minute, or have it rescheduled.

If the action does not complete within a specified amount of time, you can indicate that the action should be terminated. If the action does complete successfully, you can indicate that the action should not be run again.

You can also specify if an action should dial a number before any action item runs.

If you have the necessary rights, you can view and edit details or properties associated with an action. You can also delete an action, disable or enable an action, or run an action immediately even if it was scheduled to run at a later date or time or upon the occurrence of a given event.

You can remove, disable or enable, reorder, and view or modify properties associated with action items.

18.1.2 Rights for Running Actions

For actions to have the proper rights to modify the workstation’s environment, you must have the appropriate workstation access rights.

18.1.3 Using the Scheduler in Windows 2000/XP

In Windows 2000/XP, a user does not need to be logged in to the workstation or the network for the action to happen. The action takes place even when no one is at the workstation. However, the workstation must be powered on for the action to occur. If the workstation is not on when an action starts, Scheduler reschedules the action within a block of time called the startup block of time. If the workstation is not turned on within this time, you can indicate that the action be retried every minute, rescheduled to occur during the next interval, or dropped.

18.1.4 Microsoft SAGE Compatibility

The Scheduler is compatible with Microsoft SAGE for Windows 98 and can run SAGE-aware programs.