Source:Creating a Schedule

Overview

Creating and modifying schedules in SEP sesam enables you to manage the chronology of data protection activities. A schedule establishes the timing, frequency, and recurrence pattern of events that can range from minutes to years. It can be configured for periodic execution or as a one-time occurrence.

Schedules can group related tasks based on their type or recurrence pattern. For example, you can configure schedules for daily incremental backups and weekly full backups, and a monthly schedule for various tasks involved in preparing the backup environment.

When schedules are configured, you can assign specific events to them, which define the tasks or jobs that need to be executed. Schedules can contain any number of events, allowing you to manage multiple tasks within a single schedule. You can configure events for a particular task across multiple schedules, giving a fine level of control over the execution of that task.

A schedule becomes active only when one or more events are assigned to it. Active schedules are marked with a green icon, and disabled or inactive schedules are marked with a grey icon.

Special schedules

SEP sesam scheduling offers the option User defined to create a special schedule, allowing you to customize a calendar and specify the dates on which you want to run additional jobs or prevent certain jobs from executing. With these special schedules, you can prevent the activation of individual events on specific days, such as holidays, or at specific hours. Additionally, you can block specific or all event types if needed.

Create a new schedule

To create a new schedule, go to Main Selection -> Scheduling -> Schedules and click on New Schedule.

Define the settings and options as required. For detailed explanations of the available options, refer to section Schedule options.

	Tip
	You can decide the purpose and time interval of the schedule and name the schedule accordingly. For example, BCK_INCR_DAILY_0600, BCK_VM_DIFF_SAT_2100, or NEWDAY_MO-FR_0800. This approach can help you plan and manage your backup strategy.

After you have created a schedule, you can create and assign an event to it. Right-click on the schedule or click New in the Schedules toolbar, and then choose the type of event you want to create, for example, a new backup event.

You can also assign an existing task to a schedule. In the task list find and double-click a task you want to schedule, then in the Schedules tab select the schedule and the target media pool. This creates a backup event that is assigned to the selected schedule.

Screenshots

Schedule options

When creating or modifying a schedule, the following options are available to customize its settings and behavior.

General settings

Time interval

Advanced settings

Start time frame	Select this option to specify the maximum allowed actual startup time for your event. This refers to the amount of time an event can remain in the queue before it starts executing. You can define the startup time in days and/or hours. The actual start time of the event depends on the processor load of the system. When the event's start time arrives, it is placed in the queue, where it may need to wait for higher-priority jobs to complete. If this option is enabled and the event cannot be executed within the specified time frame, it will not be executed at all. If the global setting `suppress_with_timerange` is used, this option defines the timeframe period during which other events can be suppressed. If an event is configured as a blocking event (with the Blocking date option enabled), the Start time frame specifies the amount of time during which other events with lower priority are not scheduled for execution. This time period is set in days and/or hours and begins when the blocking event starts. Note that if Start time frame is not set for a blocking event, it will block other events with lower priority for the entire backup day.
Repeat task	Enable this option if you want the event to be repeated. Select the interval (in hours or minutes) at which the task should be repeated.
For a duration of	This option is available when the Repeat task checkbox is selected. Specify the time frame in days and/or hours during which the event will occur repeatedly. However, ensure that the duration does not exceed the original time interval. For example, if the time interval is set to weekly with Monday and Wednesday selected, the duration should not exceed 23 hours and 59 minutes. You could configure this task to repeat every 20 minutes for a duration of 4 hours.
Stop task if it runs longer than	Select this option to set a time limit (in days and/or hours) for the maximum duration of an event from its scheduled start time. If a running event exceeds this time limit, it will be automatically cancelled. If the time limit is reached for pending jobs that have not yet started, they will be removed from the queue without being executed.

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Name	A name for the schedule.
Execution off	This option allows you to deactivate the schedule, disabling all events linked to it. When the schedule is deactivated, the related jobs will not run. By default, execution is enabled.
Start	Set the start date and time for the schedule. The schedule will be activated at the specified date and time. By default, the current date and time are pre-filled.
Expiration date	Set a validity period for the schedule. If the schedule should only be active for a limited time, such as until the end of the year, select the checkbox and enter the expiration date. Once the expiration date is reached, the schedule will be automatically deleted. By default, this option is disabled and the schedule remains active indefinitely.
Notes	Add any comments or information related to the schedule.

Once	This option indicates a single run without any repetition. After the execution of the event, the schedule is automatically deleted.
Daily	This option allows you to set the repetition period in terms of days, hours, or minutes. You can specify how frequently the event should repeat within each day.
Weekly	This option enables you to set the repetition period in weeks and select the specific day(s) of the week for the event to occur. You can choose multiple days if needed.
Monthly	This option allows you to set the repetition period in months and select specific days of the month for the event to occur using absolute or relative dates. For example, you can set a specific day such as the 1^st or 15^th of the month, or you can use relative terms such as "Second" or "Last" "workday" or "Sunday". Optional setting "Offset (in days)" enables you to specify a specific offset in days from the starting point of the repetition. For example, if you set the offset to 3, the event will occur up to three days after the specified start date.
Yearly	This option allows you to set the repetition pattern in years and select specific days of the month for the event to occur using absolute or relative dates. Optional setting "Offset (in days)" enables you to specify a specific offset in days from the starting point of the repetition. For example, if you set the offset to 3, the event will occur up to three days after the specified start date.
User Defined	This option allows you to set up a custom calendar for defining the repetition pattern. For detailed instructions on creating a custom calendar, refer to Creating a custom calendar. See also Managing Schedules.