Agent Lifecycle FAQS

1. What is the agent lifecycle in ODI?

• The agent lifecycle refers to the sequence of actions and processes an ODI agent goes through from startup to shutdown. This includes connecting to the master repository, processing scheduled scenarios, managing sessions, and responding to administrative requests.

2. How does the agent start its lifecycle?

• Upon startup, the agent connects to the Master Repository, then to any associated work repositories, and performs tasks such as executing outstanding tasks, cleaning stale sessions, and retrieving the list of scheduled scenarios.

3. What does the agent do after startup?

• After startup, the agent:
• Executes any tasks that need to be completed upon the agent's initialization.
• Cleans up stale sessions left in an incorrect running state due to crashes.
• Retrieves scheduled scenarios and computes the execution schedule for the jobs.

4. What happens when the agent starts listening on its port?

• Once the agent has completed its startup tasks, it begins listening for incoming execution requests on its designated port. It waits for triggers like jobs or scenarios to begin execution.

5. How does the agent process execution requests?

• When the agent receives an execution request:
• It acknowledges the request.
• Starts the execution of the session corresponding to the request.
• It continues to launch sessions according to the defined schedule.

6. What kind of administrative requests can the agent handle?

• The agent can handle various administrative tasks, including:
• Updating its schedule (adding, removing, or modifying tasks).
• Stopping a session.
• Responding to a ping to confirm the agent is still active.
• Cleaning stale sessions that may have been left running or unprocessed due to system failures.

7. What happens if the agent receives a stop signal?

• When the agent receives a stop signal, it gracefully shuts down its operations, terminates the session lifecycle, and ends its process.

8. Why does the agent clean stale sessions?

• Stale sessions are left in a running state due to crashes or unexpected shutdowns of the agent or repository. The agent cleans up these sessions to ensure that resources are freed and the system remains in a consistent state.

9. What is the purpose of retrieving the scheduled scenarios at startup?

• Retrieving the scheduled scenarios ensures that the agent knows which jobs need to be executed and when. It helps the agent compute its execution schedule and begin executing jobs at the appropriate times.

10. Can the agent handle tasks other than job execution?

• Yes, the agent can handle various administrative requests such as updating its schedule, stopping a session, responding to pings, and cleaning stale sessions. These tasks ensure that the agent remains responsive and well-maintained during its lifecycle.

11. What happens if the agent crashes or is shut down unexpectedly?

• If the agent crashes or is shut down, it may leave some sessions in an incomplete or stale state. When the agent restarts, it will clean up these stale sessions to restore consistency.

These FAQs should help clarify common queries about the lifecycle of an Oracle Data Integrator agent, from startup to termination and the tasks it performs during its operation.