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The Microsoft Windows operating system includes the Remote Desktop component that allows you to connect to a remote computer and work with it as with your local computer. This is a common way to run and monitor automated tasks on remote computers: you connect to the remote computer using a Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) and use the Remote Desktop window to work with the remote computer on your PC.
There is a pitfall using this scenario: you may not minimize the Remote Desktop window (that is, the window which displays the remote computer’s desktop), or your GUI interactive tasks will fail. If you minimize this window, the operating system switches the remote session to a GUI-less mode and does not display windows and controls. As a result, Automate will be unable to in…
This article will provide information and illustrated instructions regarding the installation of AutoMate 8. AutoMate offers three editions: Professional Edition- The base version of AutoMate which includes standard features designed to perform most automated desktop processes. Premium Edition - Offers all the features found in the Professional Edition along with features designed to offer greater flexibility and implementation options to the businesses that require them, as well as the ability to connect to remote Runtime installations for remote management and task deployment. Runtime Edition - A non-GUI component used for the execution of tasks on remote machines constructed and deployed by the Premium …
AutoMate BPA Installation Wizard AutoMate BPA Server follows the client–server model of computing where one or more servers are hosts that share their resources with multiple clients. Since data storage is centralized, updates to that data are far easier to administer. This architecture also supplies greater ease of maintenance and enables the roles and responsibilities of a computing system to be distributed among several independent computers. AutoMate BPA Server components can all be installed on the same machine or installed independently on separate machines (as long as they are capable of communicating with each other via TCP/IP). This article supplies step by step instructions in regards to the installation process. …
SYMPTOMS
When opening Task Builder, load time can take up to 30 seconds.
CAUSE
Windows logo compliancy requires all
installers, assemblies, EXE's and DLL's to be digitally signed and will verify the certificate
revocation status at install and run time if it thinks it has
internet access. If Windows is unable to connect to a certification authority due to network restrictions (corporate network, firewall, etc.) then it will eventually time out. This 10-30 second time out occurs at application run time and will occur at every run time until the certificate status is verified.
RESOLUTION
From Internet Explorer:
Click on Tools.
Click on Internet Options.
Select the Advanced tab.
In the Security …
SYMPTOMS
The ''this=>AddSession(inConfigResource, inLocal, (Passhiolib_tlb::IOhioSessionPtr*)&outSession)': Unspecified error @ ..\Imports\PASSHIOLib_TLB.h/704' error message is received when running the "Connect Terminal" action.
CAUSE
The TN terminal emulation (TN3270, TN5250) components of the "Connect Terminal" action require an annual license update in order to maintain functionality.
RESOLUTION
Replace the passhio.key file from the original installation with the one from the following URL: http://cloud.networkautomation.com/support/passhio.zip
Please copy th…
SUMMARY
This article documents the default ports for all Automate applications.
MORE INFORMATION
Automate:
AM5: 7477
AM6: 7677
AM7: 7877
AM8: 7977
Automate BPA:
BPA7: 7100
BPA8: 8500, 8502, 8503, 8510
…
SYMPTOMS
1. Connection to Local Tasks could not be established. Is the Automate Task
Service running on that machine.
2. Error 1920.Service Automate 8
(Automate8) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start
system services.
3. The instruction at "0x7c9369da" referenced memory at
"0x00000000". The memory could not be read.
4. Unable to start or stop
Automate or BPA services without generating error messages.
CAUSE
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943232
An application that uses the Sxs.dll file crashes when
you run the application on a Windows XP-based computer.
This problem oc…
SYMPTOMS
The 'Could not access the Excel cells. Make sure the range is valid.' error message is received when running the "Dataset To Cells" action.
CAUSE
The dataset is either empty or exceeds Microsoft Office Excel's limitations.
A Microsoft Office Excel worksheet contains 65,536 rows and 256 columns. You
cannot increase the number of rows or columns beyond the maximum row and column
limits. If the dataset exceeds the maximum limits, then the error message will occur.
RESOLUTION
Ensure that the dataset does not exceed Excel's maximum limitations AND contains at least one row of data. The dataset generates the following fields for reference:…
Overview
A Web service is defined as a set of technologies that provide platform-independent standards used for exchanging data between applications over a network, such as the Internet. Businesses can dynamically mix and match Web services to perform complex transactions with minimal programming. For instance, Web services allow buyers and sellers all over the world to discover each other, connect dynamically, and execute transactions in real time with minimal human interaction.
Web Services are typically Web applications that can be accessed over the Internet by using a web browser (or other local client) and executed on a remote server hosting the requested services. Web services can perform functio…
Introduction AutoMate BPA Server can be installed using simple command-line parameters through the use of the Windows Installer executable MSIExec.exe and the AutoMate MSI file. This allows for easy mass deployment and simplified automated installations. What You Will Need 1.The AutoMate BPA Server installation MSI file (which can be found as a separate download …
Introduction AutoMate 7 can be installed using simple command-line parameters through the use of the Windows Installer executable MSIExec.exe along with the AutoMate 7 MSI file. This allows for easy mass deployment and simplified automated installations. What You Will Need 1.AutoMate 7 installation MSI file (which can be found as a separate download link on the Account Maintenance page). …
A great feature lies tucked away in the AutoMate Task Builder than can make exporting and sharing tasks a whole lot easier: attachments. Attachments allow a file of any type to be embedded within a task so that third-party elements can be included with a task for greater portability. For example if you have a task that plays a .wav file when a certain event occurs you can guarantee the sound file will always be present on the system by attaching the file to the task.Task attachments can be added and removed in the Task Builder's Attachment windows. Normally this window is docked together with the other Debug Windows at the bottom of the Task Builder (though like all other debug windows, it can be undocked and placed anywhere on the screen). To add an attachment, right click insid…
Introduction
AutoMate has the ability to execute numerous tasks simultaneously. The total amount of simultaneously run tasks can be configured from the Task Administrator under 'System' -> 'Options' -> 'Priorities' tab.
On the other hand, there are certain situations when a task may need to run independent and uninterrupted from all other tasks in some manner. For example, such an option is useful when an interactive task must make sure that a particular window stays in the foreground in order to send keystrokes to it. If another task were to run and try to focus an unrelated window, it would eventually interfere with the task that is attempting to send keystrokes, thus failing one, or possibly both tasks. Additionally, a developer may wish to limit…
AutoMate's Logon options contain the settings that are used to run a managed task in diverse situations. It can specify how the task should run depending on the current state of the machine, whether it is logged on, logged off or locked.You can set the parameters to logon a specified user if the workstation is logged off or unlock the workstation if it is currently locked before performing actions of the task. You can even set the parameters to run the task in the background, no matter what state the workstation is on.Additionally, the Logon options can specify under which user context a task should impersonate when it is executed automatically (triggered). It will allow you to select a specific user to run the task under, even though a machine may already be logged on und…
The Debug Window of the AutoMate Task Builder supplies a large amount of information about the task being constructed. Its purpose is to assist a developer to properly diagnose a task that generates an error or is generally not running properly. It provides a simple means to examine the contents of variables, inspect the states of any watches that were set, view labels and attachments or observe what each step may (or may not) have done during task execution. The Debug window contains six views which are separated by tabs. This article will provide a comprehensive description of each available Debugging tool.Output Window
The 'Output' view contains real-time information about the currently running task. As a task executes, each step is logged to the 'Output'…
When a task is triggered, AutoMate checks the state of the machine, whether it is logged on, logged off or locked, then observes and complies with the 'Logon' credentials of the task. When a machine is locked, and AutoMate needs to unlock it in order to properly run the task, it will attempt to do so using the "Specified User" or the "Default User" account (if the Specified User points to the Default User located in 'System' -> 'Options' -> 'Default User' tab). Microsoft developed Windows in a manner that only the user who last locked the workstation can unlock it. So if your default user is set to you, but another user locked the machine (whether locally or during a remote session), the task will not be able to unlock the machine because Windows will want you to verify that you…
Introduction
Like variables, datasets are used to represent data in a task that may be different each time a task executes. But unlike standard variables, datasets can contain multiple rows and columns. This is useful when retrieving information that describes more than one object or represents a collection of data such as a database or spreadsheet. Conceptually, the data is laid out like a table and is accessed in much the same way (i.e. by specifying the column and row where the data resides). Several actions in AutoMate create and populate datasets, including 'SQL Query,' 'SNMP Get,' 'POP3 Email' and specific 'Excel' actions. Using Datasets
Every dataset created and used in AutoMate must have a unique name, much like variables…
Variables - Overview
A variable is a named storage location that can contain data which, if needed, may be modified during task execution. In this manner, variables can be used to represent and store dynamic data that may be different each time the task is run. Each variable has a name that uniquely identifies it. Variables can be used to represent data in a task that may be different from system to system.How to Create a Variable
AutoMate's 'Create Variable' action generates a variable which can be used to store dynamic values for utilization in any step of the task or any subtasks started with the 'Start Task' action. The developer can enter a value to the variable during creation or the value field can be left blank. Instead, variabl…
Remote AdministrationRemote Administration provides the capability to directly manage an AutoMate client from any machine on a TCP/IP network where the AutoMate Task Administrator is running. Once connected to a remote AutoMate, a user can add, remove, modify and debug managed tasks and enable / disable task triggering on the remote machine.
A user can execute tasks on a remote machine where an AutoMate task service resides as well. This article will provide comprehensive information regarding AutoMate's Remote Administration function. It will cover such topics as configuring and starting Remote Administration, working with managed tasks, deploying tasks, managing and executing remote tasks. Overview
AutoMate is a collection of …
Symptoms:The 'Logon' options located in the 'Managed Task Properties' of each task allow the user to specify under which user context a task should run when it is triggered (started automatically). If a task is set to launch when the system is locked or logged off and the 'Logon' parameters are either "Logon specified user," "Unlock using specified user," or "Run as background user," the error "Task could not start because logon failed" or "Task could not start because Hook window cannot be found" may occur. Reasons / Solutions:AutoMate may be attempting to send the keystrokes too soon.
AutoMate attempts to log on a user by simulating the keystrokes a user would use when loggin…