6.4 Starting and Stopping the Service

The Dynamic File Service is the engine that manages the various components. It starts automatically after the install and on system boot in Windows Normal Mode. The Service does not run in Windows Safe Mode. A user with Administrator privileges on the DynamicFS server can also start and stop the Dynamic File Service as needed by using the Service Controller.

The Service component must be installed and running on the server in order to connect to the server from the Management Console, or to use commands and some utilities. The DswDump.exe and DswPairCheck.exe utilities can be used when the service is running or not running in order to gather and report information from the Dynamic File Services databases. The Repair Tool can be used only when the service is not running.

6.4.1 Viewing the Service Status

The Dynamic File Service has two possible states: Enabled (running) and Disabled (not running). Its current status is displayed in the Service Controller menu. The Service status is also displayed in the Microsoft Management Console.

  1. Log in to the DynamicFS server.

    The Service Controller starts automatically and places an icon in the notification area.

  2. In the notification area, right-click the Service Controller icon () to display the menu.

  3. View the status of the Service.

    The following combinations of options convey the current status and options to start or stop the Service accordingly:

    • Service Enabled and Stop Service

    • Service Disabled and Start Service

6.4.2 Starting the Dynamic File Service

  1. Log in to the DynamicFS server as the Administrator user or as a user with Administrator privileges.

  2. Right-click the Service Controller icon () in the notification area, then select Start service from the pop-up menu.

  3. Verify that the Service is running by right-clicking the Service Controller icon.

    In the pop-up menu, the options are now Service enabled and Stop service.

6.4.3 Stopping the Dynamic File Service

Special steps should be taken before you stop the service in order to ensure a graceful shutdown of the Service and user actions on the pairs. You must stop the Dynamic File Service before taking the following management actions:

  • Modifying, repairing, or uninstalling the Dynamic File Services software.

  • Modifying the Service configuration settings. The Service is automatically restarted if you modify the configuration settings for its ports and certificate.

  • Performing system maintenance on the DynamicFS server.

It is also a good idea to stop the Service if you are performing maintenance on a remote server or filer with paths used in pairs on the DynamicFS server. Alternatively, you can unlink the pair, and re-create it when the remote storage is back online.

Prerequisites for Stopping or Restarting the Service

Do not stop or restart the Dynamic File Service while the Service is busy processing data. Use Table 6-1as a checklist for making sure the Service is not processing data so that you can stop it without introducing potential data loss. After the Service activities are quiescent, you can continue with stopping the Service or with activities that automatically restart the Service, such as changing the port or certificate.

Table 6-1 Checklist for Quiescing the Dynamic File Service

Service

Verify the following to quiesce activity in the Service

Policy runs

You should wait until all pairs on the server are in the Idle state. If the pair state is Running, wait until the policy run is complete, or you can manually stop the run by using the Actions > Stop running process option from the pair’s Statistics dialog box.

Scans

You should consider the schedules for the daily snapshots of the pair and policy databases, the pair history scan, and the retention review check timer to avoid stopping the Service when a pair is busy with a scan. If a scan is in progress, wait until the scan is complete.

If the Service is disabled at the scan’s scheduled start time, the scan is not run for that day.

Merged View

All clients accessing files through the merged view must log out. Gracefully close user connections to each of the standard pairs so that the merged view is inactive. This allows users time to save their changes and close the files.

Retention Review Service

All users accessing retained data through the Retention Review Service must log out. Gracefully close user connections and allow sufficient time for the queued actions to run.

Management sessions

Discontinue use of any Management Console sessions, client commands, and utilities.

Stopping the Service

IMPORTANT:Before you begin, ensure that you have met the requirements in Prerequisites for Stopping or Restarting the Service.

  1. Log in to the DynamicFS server as the Administrator user or as a user with Administrator privileges.

  2. In the notification area, right-click the Service Controller icon (), then select Stop service from the menu.

  3. If you are prompted to confirm the Service stop, click Yes to continue.

  4. Verify that the Service has stopped by right-clicking the Service Controller icon in the notification area.

    When the service has stopped, Service Controller menu displays Service disabled and Start service options.