Pinnacle Systems Interplay Archive Engine - 2.3 Administrator’s Guide

Avid® Interplay® Engine and
Avid Interplay Archive Engine
Administration Guide
Release 2.3
Legal Notices
Product specifications are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of Avid Technology, Inc.
This product is subject to the terms and conditions of a software license agreement provided with the software. The product may only be used in accordance with the license agreement.
Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following United States Patents: 5,267,351; 5,309,528; 5,355,450; 5,396,594; 5,440,348; 5,467,288; 5,513,375; 5,528,310; 5,557,423; 5,577,190; 5,584,006; 5,640,601; 5,644,364; 5,654,737; 5,724,605; 5,726,717; 5,745,637; 5,752,029; 5,754,851; 5,799,150; 5,812,216; 5,828,678; 5,842,014; 5,852,435; 5,986,584; 5,999,406; 6,038,573; 6,069,668; 6,141,007; 6,211,869; 6,532,043; 6,546,190; 6,596,031; 6,747,705; 6,763,523; 6,766,357; 6,847,373; 7,081,900; 7,403,561; 7,433,519; 7,671,871; 7,684,096; D352,278; D372,478; D373,778; D392,267; D392,268; D392,269; D395,291; D396,853; D398,912. Other patents are pending.
Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following European Patents: 0506870; 0635188; 0674414; 0752174; 1111910; 1629675. Other patents are pending.
This document is protected under copyright law. An authorized licensee of Avid Interplay may reproduce this publication for the licensee’s own use in learning how to use the software. This document may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, for commercial purposes, such as selling copies of this document or providing support or educational services to others. This document is supplied as a guide for Avid Interplay. Reasonable care has been taken in preparing the information it contains. However, this document may contain omissions, technical inaccuracies, or typographical errors. Avid Technology, Inc. does not accept responsibility of any kind for customers’ losses due to the use of this document. Product specifications are subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2010 Avid Technology, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
The following disclaimer is required by Apple Computer, Inc.:
APPLE COMPUTER, INC. MAKES NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS NOT PERMITTED BY SOME STATES. THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY PROVIDES YOU WITH SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. THERE MAY BE OTHER RIGHTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
The following disclaimer is required by Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics, Inc. for the use of their TIFF library:
Copyright © 1988–1997 Sam Leffler Copyright © 1991–1997 Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software [i.e., the TIFF library] and its documentation for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided that (i) the above copyright notices and this permission notice appear in all copies of the software and related documentation, and (ii) the names of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics may not be used in any advertising or publicity relating to the software without the specific, prior written permission of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS-IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL SAM LEFFLER OR SILICON GRAPHICS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
The following disclaimer is required by the Independent JPEG Group:
This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.
This Software may contain components licensed under the following conditions:
Copyright (c) 1989 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms are permitted provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are duplicated in all such forms and that any documentation, advertising materials, and other materials related to such distribution and use acknowledge that the software was developed by the University of California, Berkeley. The name of the University may not be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Copyright (C) 1989, 1991 by Jef Poskanzer.
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation. This software is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.
Copyright 1995, Trinity College Computing Center. Written by David Chappell.
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation. This software is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.
Copyright 1996 Daniel Dardailler.
Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation, and that the name of Daniel Dardailler not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of the software without specific, written prior permission. Daniel Dardailler makes no representations about the suitability of this software for any purpose. It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.
Modifications Copyright 1999 Matt Koss, under the same license as above.
Copyright (c) 1991 by AT&T.
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any purpose without fee is hereby granted, provided that this entire notice is included in all copies of any software which is or includes a copy or modification of this software and in all copies of the supporting documentation for such software.
THIS SOFTWARE IS BEING PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY. IN PARTICULAR, NEITHER THE AUTHOR NOR AT&T MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE MERCHANTABILITY OF THIS SOFTWARE OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
This product includes software developed by the University of California, Berkeley and its contributors.
The following disclaimer is required by Nexidia Inc.:
© 2006 Nexidia. All rights reserved.
Manufactured under license from the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, U.S.A. Patent Pending.
The following disclaimer is required by Paradigm Matrix:
Portions of this software licensed from Paradigm Matrix.
The following disclaimer is required by Ray Sauers Associates, Inc.:
“Install-It” is licensed from Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. End-User is prohibited from taking any action to derive a source code equivalent of “Install-It,” including by reverse assembly or reverse compilation, Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. shall in no event be liable for any damages resulting from reseller’s failure to perform reseller’s obligation; or any damages arising from use or operation of reseller’s products or the software; or any other damages, including but not limited to, incidental, direct, indirect, special or consequential Damages including lost profits, or damages resulting from loss of use or inability to use reseller’s products or the software for any reason including copyright or patent infringement, or lost data, even if Ray Sauers Associates has been advised, knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages.
The following disclaimer is required by Videomedia, Inc.:
“Videomedia, Inc. makes no warranties whatsoever, either express or implied, regarding this product, including warranties with respect to its merchantability or its fitness for any particular purpose.”
“This software contains V-LAN ver. 3.0 Command Protocols which communicate with V-LAN ver. 3.0 products developed by Videomedia, Inc. and V-LAN ver. 3.0 compatible products developed by third parties under license from Videomedia, Inc. Use of this software will allow “frame accurate” editing control of applicable videotape recorder decks, videodisc recorders/players and the like.”
The following disclaimer is required by Altura Software, Inc. for the use of its Mac2Win software and Sample Source Code:
©1993–1998 Altura Software, Inc.
The following disclaimer is required by Ultimatte Corporation:
Certain real-time compositing capabilities are provided under a license of such technology from Ultimatte Corporation and are subject to copyright protection.
The following disclaimer is required by 3Prong.com Inc.:
Certain waveform and vector monitoring capabilities are provided under a license from 3Prong.com Inc.
The following disclaimer is required by Interplay Entertainment Corp.:
The “Interplay” name is used with the permission of Interplay Entertainment Corp., which bears no responsibility for Avid products.
This product includes portions of the Alloy Look & Feel software from Incors GmbH.
This product includes software developed by the Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/).
© DevelopMentor
This product may include the JCifs library, for which the following notice applies:
JCifs © Copyright 2004, The JCIFS Project, is licensed under LGPL (http://jcifs.samba.org/). See the LGPL.txt file in the Third Party Software directory on the installation CD.
Avid Interplay contains components licensed from LavanTech. These components may only be used as part of and in connection with Avid Interplay.
Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights Legend
U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. This Software and its documentation are “commercial computer software” or “commercial computer software documentation.” In the event that such Software or documentation is acquired by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the U.S. Government, all rights with respect to this Software and documentation are subject to the terms of the License Agreement, pursuant to FAR §12.212(a) and/or DFARS §227.7202-1(a), as applicable.
Trademarks
003, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, Adrenaline, AirSpeed, ALEX, Alienbrain, AME, AniMatte, Archive, Archive II, Assistant Station, AudioPages, AudioStation, AutoLoop, AutoSync, Avid, Avid Active, Avid Advanced Response, Avid DNA, Avid DNxcel, Avid DNxHD, Avid DS Assist Station, Avid Liquid, Avid Media Engine, Avid Media Processor, Avid MEDIArray, Avid Mojo, Avid Remote Response, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid VideoRAID, AvidRAID, AvidShare, AVIDstripe, AVX, Axiom, Beat Detective, Beauty Without The Bandwidth, Beyond Reality, BF Essentials, Bomb Factory, Boom, Bruno, C|24, CaptureManager, ChromaCurve, ChromaWheel, Cineractive Engine, Cineractive Player, Cineractive Viewer, Color Conductor, Command|24, Command|8, Conectiv, Control|24, Cosmonaut Voice, CountDown, d2, d3, DAE, Dazzle, Dazzle Digital Video Creator, D-Command, D-Control, Deko, DekoCast, D-Fi, D-fx, Digi 003, DigiBase, DigiDelivery, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Development Partners, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiLink, DigiMeter, DigiPanner, DigiProNet, DigiRack, DigiSerial, DigiSnake, DigiSystem, Digital Choreography, Digital Nonlinear Accelerator, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DigiWear, DINR, DNxchange, DPP-1, D-Show, DSP Manager, DS-StorageCalc, DV Toolkit, DVD Complete, D-Verb, Eleven, EM, EveryPhase, Expander, ExpertRender, Fader Pack, Fairchild, Fastbreak, Fast Track, Film Cutter, FilmScribe, Flexevent, FluidMotion, Frame Chase, FXDeko, HD Core, HD Process, HDPack, Home-to-Hollywood, HYBRID, HyperControl, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, iKnowledge, Image Independence, Impact, Improv, iNEWS, iNEWS Assign, iNEWS ControlAir, Instantwrite, Instinct, Intelligent Content Management, Intelligent Digital Actor Technology, IntelliRender, Intelli-Sat, Intelli-sat Broadcasting Recording Manager, InterFX, Interplay, inTONE, Intraframe, iS Expander, ISIS, IsoSync, iS9, iS18, iS23, iS36, ISIS, IsoSync, KeyRig, KeyStudio, LaunchPad, LeaderPlus, LFX, Lightning, Link & Sync, ListSync, LKT-200, Lo-Fi, Luna, MachineControl, Magic Mask, Make Anything Hollywood, make manage move | media, Marquee, MassivePack, Massive Pack Pro, M-Audio, M-Audio Micro, Maxim, Mbox, Media Composer, MediaDock, MediaDock Shuttle, MediaFlow, MediaLog, MediaMatch, MediaMix, Media Reader, Media Recorder, MEDIArray, MediaServer, MediaShare, MetaFuze, MetaSync, MicroTrack, MIDI I/O, Midiman, Mix Rack, MixLab, Moviebox, Moviestar, MultiShell, NaturalMatch, NewsCutter, NewsView, Nitris, NL3D, NLP, Nova, NRV-10 interFX, NSDOS, NSWIN, Octane, OMF, OMF Interchange, OMM, OnDVD, Open Media Framework, Open Media Management, Ozone, Ozonic, Painterly Effects, Palladium, Personal Q, PET, Pinnacle, Pinnacle DistanTV, Pinnacle GenieBox, Pinnacle HomeMusic, Pinnacle MediaSuite, Pinnacle Mobile Media, Pinnacle Scorefitter, Pinnacle Studio, Pinnacle Studio MovieBoard, Pinnacle Systems, Pinnacle VideoSpin, Podcast Factory, PowerSwap, PRE, ProControl, ProEncode, Profiler, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Transfer, Pro Tools, QuickPunch, QuietDrive, Realtime Motion Synthesis, Recti-Fi, Reel Tape Delay, Reel Tape Flanger, Reel Tape Saturation, Reprise, Res Rocket Surfer, Reso, RetroLoop, Reverb One, ReVibe, Revolution, rS9, rS18, RTAS, Salesview, Sci-Fi, Scorch, Scorefitter, ScriptSync, SecureProductionEnvironment, Serv|LT, Serv|GT, Session, Shape-to-Shape, ShuttleCase, Sibelius, SIDON, SimulPlay, SimulRecord, Slightly Rude Compressor, Smack!, Soft SampleCell, Soft-Clip Limiter, Solaris, SoundReplacer, SPACE, SPACEShift, SpectraGraph, SpectraMatte, SteadyGlide, Streamfactory, Streamgenie, StreamRAID, Strike, Structure, Studiophile, SubCap, Sundance Digital, Sundance, SurroundScope, Symphony, SYNC HD, Synchronic, SynchroScope, SYNC I/O, Syntax, TDM FlexCable, TechFlix, Tel-Ray, Thunder, Titansync, Titan, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan,
TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, tools for storytellers, Torq, Torq Xponent, Transfuser, Transit, TransJammer, Trigger Finger, Trillium Lane Labs, TruTouch, UnityRAID, Vari-Fi, Velvet, Video the Web Way, VideoRAID, VideoSPACE, VideoSpin, VTEM, Work-N-Play, Xdeck, X-Form, Xmon, XPAND!, Xponent, X-Session, and X-Session Pro are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
Adobe and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Apple and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Footage
Eco Challenge Morocco — Courtesy of Discovery Communications, Inc. News material provided by WFTV Television Inc. Ice Island — Courtesy of Kurtis Productions, Ltd.
Avid Interplay Engine and Avid Interplay Archive Engine Administration Guide • 0130-07640-03 Rev D • December 2010 • This document is distributed by Avid in online (electronic) form only, and is not available for purchase in printed form.

Contents

Using This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
If You Need Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Viewing Help and Documentation on the Interplay Portal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Interplay Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Avid Training Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter 1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Understanding the Interplay Engine and Interplay Workgroups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Using the Avid Interplay Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Starting the Avid Interplay Administrator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using the Avid Interplay Administrator Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Opening an Interplay Administrator View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Opening Interplay Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Exiting the Avid Interplay Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chapter 2 Database Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Creating an Interplay Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Limits on the Number of Assets and Objects in the Interplay Database . . . . . . . . . . 36
Creating and Restoring Database Backups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Types of Interplay Administrator Backups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Recommendations for Backup Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Scheduling Automatic Database Backups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Starting a Backup Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Using an Archiving Tool for Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Restoring an Earlier Version of a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Restoring a Complete Backup or a Fast Backup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Using the InterplayRestore Tool on the Interplay Engine Server . . . . . . . . 53
Database Restore Session Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Using the BackupArchive Tool to Restore Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Restoring Archived Log Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Performing a Consistency Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Viewing Database Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Locking and Unlocking Databases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Managing Databases: Deactivating, Activating, and Migrating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Deactivating a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Activating a Deactivated Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Migrating a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Moving a Database to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems) . . . . . 71
Moving a Database to Another Server (Clustered Systems) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Clustered Systems) . . . . . . . . . 76
Moving a Database Under Low Disk Space Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Renaming a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Chapter 3 Server Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Changing the Database and Data Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Viewing Server Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Locking and Unlocking the Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Restarting the Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Managing Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Installing a Permanent License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
License Types and Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Exporting a License. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Troubleshooting Licensing Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Using the License Key Info Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Chapter 4 User Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Understanding the Central Configuration Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Moving the CCS to Another Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Viewing and Changing the CCS for a Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Adding Users to a Central Configuration Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Setting User Authentication Providers and Importing Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Setting Avid Unity Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Setting Windows Domain Authentication and Importing Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Setting LDAP Authentication and Importing Users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
LDAP Server Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Managing Users, User Groups, and User Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Understanding Default User Groups, Users, and Roles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Adding User Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Adding Users Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Viewing and Setting Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Understanding Standard Roles and Default Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Viewing and Changing Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Viewing and Setting Authentication Providers for Individual Users . . . . . . . . . 114
Deleting Users and User Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Removing Users from User Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Managing Database Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Viewing General Role Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Setting or Changing a General Role Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Blocking Access by a Group or User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Managing Special Access Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Guidelines for User Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Chapter 5 Site Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Defining Property Layouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Setting the Resolutions Available for Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Creating Custom Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Adding a Custom Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Setting Access Control for Custom Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Working with Lists for Custom Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Creating and Editing a File for Custom Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Removing a List for a Custom Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Using Custom Properties in an Extended Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Configuring Remote Workgroups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Configuring Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Adding Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Removing Categories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Setting Server Hostnames and the Workgroup Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Configuring the Interplay Stream Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Interplay Media Services View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Interplay Transfer Status View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Interplay Transfer Settings View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Workgroup Transfer Presets View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Specifying Remote Servers for Asset Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Specifying Archive Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Archiving Duplicate Versions of Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Adding AAF Metadata to an Archive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Specifying the Archive Server, Segment Size, and Restore Process . . . . . . . 156
Setting the Ownership for New Database Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Setting Options for Deletion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Setting Options for Deleting Only OMF Media, Only MXF Media, or Both . . . 159
Setting Options for Deleting Locked Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Viewing and Setting the Metadata Override Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Chapter 6 Application Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Application Database Settings View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Setting Options in the Editing Settings Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Audio Settings for Two NAT or SOT Tracks in Avid Instinct. . . . . . . . . . . 165
Application Database Settings: Editing Settings Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Setting Audio Mixing Defaults for Access and Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Setting the Shotlist Start Timecode for Interplay Access and Interplay Assist 174
Setting an Automatic Timeout for Interplay Assist and Avid Instinct . . . . . . . . 175
Configuring the Frame Locators Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Setting Instinct/Assist User Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Instinct/Assist User Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Pro Tools Plug-Ins Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Installing the Pro Tools Plug-Ins for Interplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Configuring the Pro Tools Import Plug-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Configuring the Pro Tools Export Plug-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Configuring the Pro Tools User Settings Plug-In. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Chapter 7 Avid Interplay Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
10
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Troubleshooting Login Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Troubleshooting Client Connection Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Optimizing Avid Interplay Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Troubleshooting Firewalls and Avid Interplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Troubleshooting the Server Execution User Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Creating the Server Execution User Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Determining the Server Execution User Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Re-creating the Server Execution User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Shutting Down or Locking the Server Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Chapter 9 Configuring Interplay for a Split Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Understanding a Split Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Supported Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Preparing for a Split Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Splitting a Database for New Interplay Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Splitting a Database for Existing Interplay Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Configuring the workgroup.xml File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Identifying the Root Folder of the Interplay Server Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Reuniting a Split Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Reuniting a Split Database (AvidWG Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Reuniting a Split Database (AvidWG and _InternalData). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Appendix A Installed Components and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Avid Interplay Engine Directory: Folders and Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Apache Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Activating Creation of the access.log File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Data Folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
AvDeletes.log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
AvMetaDataDelete.log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
AvMoveEx.log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Preview Server Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Server Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Required TCP/IP Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
11
Avid Interplay Engine Servers and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Avid Interplay Engine Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Avid Workgroup HTTP Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Avid Workgroup Server Browser Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Avid Workgroup Preview Server Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Avid Workgroup TCP/COM Bridge Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Avid Workgroup VSS Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Avid Workgroup Engine Monitor Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Appendix B Interplay Engine Configuration Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Configuring the Server Event Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Config.xml File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Supported Actions in Config.xml . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Supported Events in Config.xml . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Server Event Configuration Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
LogWatch.xml . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Sending E-mail Notifications from LogWatch.xml . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Configuring Client Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Setting the Filetransfer Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Appendix C Valid and Invalid Characters in Avid Interplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Appendix D System Metadata Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Appendix E Server Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Appendix F Consistency Check Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Consistency Check Critical Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Consistency Check Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Consistency Check Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
12

Using This Guide

Congratulations on your purchase of Avid®Interplay®, a powerful system for managing media in a shared storage environment. This guide describes how to use Avid Interplay Administrator, an Interplay client application that provides tools to configure the Avid Interplay Engine and to manage the database on the server.
This guide is intended for all Avid Interplay administrators who are responsible for installing, configuring and maintaining an Avid Interplay Engine or Avid Interplay Archive Engine (database, server, and all related client connections and user rights) in an Interplay workgroup. This guide includes a detailed description of each of the Avid Interplay Administrator task groups and how you can use them to administer your server and databases. Some of the settings that you are able to change affect the server itself, while others only affect the database stored on the server.
®
The Interplay Administrator is supported on both the Microsoft Mac OS
The documentation describes the features and hardware of all models. Therefore, your
n
system might not contain certain features and hardware that are covered in the documentation.
®
X platforms. When necessary, the guide describes platform-specific differences.
Windows® and the
Limited number of client applications per user per machine: A user can run only one
n
Interplay Access session and one Interplay Administrator session on one machine. This software does not support terminal/server sessions.

Symbols and Conventions

Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:
Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action
n
c
w
> This symbol indicates menu commands (and subcommands) in the
(Windows), (Windows only), (Macintosh), or (Macintosh only)
Bold font Bold font is primarily used in task instructions to identify user interface
Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to indicate variables.
Courier Bold font
A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations, and strong suggestions.
A caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to your computer or cause you to lose data.
A warning describes an action that could cause you physical harm. Follow the guidelines in this document or on the unit itself when handling electrical equipment.
order you select them. For example, File > Import means to open the File menu and then select the Import command.
This symbol indicates a single-step procedure. Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you perform one of the actions listed.
This text indicates that the information applies only to the specified operating system, either Windows or Macintosh OS X.
items and keyboard sequences.
Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.
14
Ctrl+key or mouse action Press and hold the first key while you press the last key or perform the
mouse action. For example, Command+Option+C or Ctrl+drag.

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using your Avid product:
1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task in this guide. It is especially important to check each step of your workflow.
2. Check the latest information that might have become available after the documentation was published:
- If the latest information for your Avid product is provided as printed release notes,
they are shipped with your application and are also available online.
- If the latest information for your Avid product is provided as a ReadMe file, it is
supplied on your Avid installation CD or DVD as a PDF document (README_product.pdf) and is also available online.
You should always check online for the most up-to-date release notes or ReadMe because the online version is updated whenever new information becomes available. To view these online versions, select ReadMe from the Help menu, or visit
the Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/readme.
3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues.
If You Need Help
4. Visit the online Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/onlinesupport. Online services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search this online Knowledge Base to find answers, to view error messages, to access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read or join online message-board discussions.

Viewing Help and Documentation on the Interplay Portal

You can quickly access the Interplay Help, PDF versions of the Interplay guides, and useful external links by viewing the Interplay User Information Center on the Interplay Portal. The Interplay Portal is a web site that runs on the Interplay Engine.
You can access the Interplay User Information Center through a browser from any system in the Interplay environment. You can also access it through the Help menu in Interplay Access and the Interplay Administrator.
The Interplay Help combines information from all Interplay guides in one Help system. It includes a combined index and a full-featured search. From the Interplay Portal, you can run the Help in a browser or download a compiled (.chm) version for use on other systems, such as a laptop.
15
To open the Interplay User Information Center through a browser:
1. Type the following line in a web browser:
http://Interplay_Engine_name
For Interplay_Engine_name substitute the name of the computer running the Interplay Engine software. For example, the following line opens the portal web page on a system named docwg:
http://docwg
2. Click the “Avid Interplay Documentation” link to access the User Information Center web page.
To open the Interplay User Information Center from Interplay Access or the Interplay Administrator:
t Select Help > Documentation Website on Server.

Interplay Documentation

The following documents describe how to use Avid Interplay:
Avid Interplay Best Practices — provides an overview of the major Interplay components, shows sample configuration diagrams, and describes several of the key features, such as setting up a user database and using the Avid Interplay Archive Engine.
16
Avid Interplay Software Installation and Configuration Guide — describes how to use the Avid Interplay Installer DVD to install and configure software on the various systems that make up a Interplay environment.
Avid Interplay Engine Failover Guide — describes how to set up a cluster configuration for the Avid Interplay Engine and the Avid Interplay Archive engine.
Avid Interplay Engine and Avid Interplay Archive Engine Administration Guide — describes how to administer your Avid Interplay Engine or Avid Interplay Archive Engine and Avid Interplay database.
Avid Interplay Access User’s Guide — describes how to use Interplay Access to browse, search, and work with assets in the Avid Interplay database.
Avid Interplay Assist User’s Guide — describes how to use Interplay Assist for logging, archiving, and sending to Playback material in an Interplay environment.
Avid Instinct User’s Guide — describes how to use the Avid Instinct application to write iNEWS stories and put together simple audio and video sequences.
Avid Interplay Media Services Setup and User’s Guide — Avid Interplay Media Services lets you control and automate Transcode, Archive, and ProEncode services.

Avid Training Services

Avid Interplay Transfer Setup and User’s Guide — describes how to use Interplay Transfer to transfer media to and from another workgroup, send finished sequences to a configured playback device, ingest media from a configured ingest device, and perform standalone transfers between workstations.
Avid Service Framework User’s Guide — describes how to use the logging, monitoring, and management features of the Avid Service Framework applications.
Avid Low Res Encode Setup and Configuration — describes how to set up and configure an Avid Low Res Encode system. Includes information on updating the bootset, root disk image, and configuring a Low Res Encode system to work with CaptureManager.
Avid Interplay Capture User’s Guide — describes how to use Interplay Capture, a newsroom ingest tool that enables automated recordings.
Avid Interplay Capture Administrator’s Guide — describes administrative concepts, tasks, and reference material for Avid Interplay Capture.
Avid CaptureManager User’s Guide — describes how to use CaptureManager newsroom environment to coordinate video feeds, schedule feed captures at both high and low resolutions, and record late breaking events instantly.
Avid CaptureManager Installation and Configuration Guide — describes how to set up and configure CaptureManager.
in a
All documents are available in PDF form on the Interplay Portal and also on the Avid Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/onlinesupport.
Avid Training Services
Avid makes lifelong learning, career advancement, and personal development easy and convenient. Avid understands that the knowledge you need to differentiate yourself is always changing, and Avid continually updates course content and offers new training delivery methods that accommodate your pressured and competitive work environment.
For information on courses/schedules, training centers, certifications, courseware, and books, please visit www.avid.com/support and follow the Training links, or call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843).
17
18
1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay
Administrator
The Avid Interplay Administrator provides database administrators and maintenance engineers with the tools required to configure the Avid Interplay Engine and to manage the database on the server.
The following topics provide basic information for using the Interplay Administrator:
Understanding the Interplay Engine and Interplay Workgroups
Using the Avid Interplay Administrator
Starting the Avid Interplay Administrator
Using the Avid Interplay Administrator Window
Opening an Interplay Administrator View
Opening Interplay Help
Exiting the Avid Interplay Administrator
For an overview of all Avid Interplay components, see the Avid Interplay Best Practices Guide.

Understanding the Interplay Engine and Interplay Workgroups

The Avid Interplay Engine forms the backbone of the Interplay environment. The Interplay Engine is a server that combines an asset database with workflow management software, both of which are integrated with Avid shared storage and Avid archive solutions. This topic provides basic information about the functions and components of the Interplay Engine.
One Interplay Engine, One Interplay Database, One Shared Storage Network
The Interplay Engine is one component of an Interplay workgroup. At a minimum, an Interplay workgroup is composed of one Interplay Engine, one Interplay database, one Avid shared-storage network (Avid ISIS LANshare), and associated software and services.
®
, Avid Unity™ MediaNetwork, or Avid Unity
1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay Administrator
Metadata Database
Avid Shared Storage
File Assets
Media for Avid Assets
Avid Interplay Engine
An Interplay database consists of two parts:
A metadata database, which holds information about the assets, or metadata.
Source files for the assets, for example, graphics files and Avid media files. The source files for file assets can be stored on the Interplay Engine or on an Avid shared-storage system. The source files for Avid assets are always stored on shared storage.
The following illustration shows the metadata database and the source files for file assets stored on the internal drive of the Interplay Engine server and the source files for Avid assets stored on an Avid shared storage workspace.
For information about all Interplay components and detailed sample configurations, see Avid Interplay Best Practices.
Avid Assets, File Assets, and Splitting the Database
Interplay manages two different kids of assets. Avid assets are assets that are created by Avid applications through capture, ingest, import, or transfer. Avid assets include:
Master clips
Subclips
•Sequences
Effects
Motion effects
Rendered effects
Group clips
File assets are any assets that are not created by an Avid application. Any file you can create on your workstation, through applications such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Word, can be added to the Interplay database and managed by Interplay as a file asset.
20
Understanding the Interplay Engine and Interplay Workgroups
Metadata Database
Avid Shared Storage
File Assets
Media for Avid Assets
Avid Interplay Engine
Streamed Properties
Media files for Avid assets are always stored on an Avid shared-storage system. Source files for file assets can be stored on the Interplay Engine or on an Avid shared-storage workspace. The location that holds file assets is called the file repository.
When you first install Interplay Engine software, the installation program requires you to set one root folder for the database on a local drive. By default, this root folder holds both the metadata database and files for file assets. If the Interplay Engine server does not have adequate local storage for your Interplay database (for example, if your facility stores a large number of file assets in the Interplay database), you can configure the Interplay Engine to store only the metadata database on the Interplay Engine. All other database files and folders can be stored on an Avid shared-storage workspace. This configuration is called a split database. The following illustration shows a split database.
n
In a split database, source files for file assets and streamed properties for Avid assets (head frames and AAF information) are stored on a shared storage workspace. Media files for Avid assets, such as .mxf files, are always stored on a shared storage workspace.
For more information, see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on page 199.
Multiple Workgroups
A large production facility can have more than one Interplay workgroup. Each workgroup must have its own Interplay Engine, database, and shared storage network. Users on Interplay Access can view and access assets from more than one workgroup and can transfer them from one to another using a file copy procedure for file assets and Avid Interplay Transfer for Avid assets. You can also use the Interplay Delivery service to transfer Avid assets.
21
1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay Administrator
Interplay online database
Interplay Archive Engine database
Interplay Archive Engine
A facility might also include an Interplay Archive Engine. An Interplay Archive Engine is configured similarly to an Interplay Engine. An Archive Engine is integrated with a third-party archive system. An Interplay Archive database is always named AvidAM. An Interplay database is always named AvidWG.
An Interplay Archive database and an Interplay database use different icons, as shown in the following illustration from Interplay Access. The archive database is represented by a safe, and archive folders are represented by boxes.
22
For more information about the Interplay Archive Engine, see Avid Interplay Best Practices.
Understanding the Interplay Engine and Interplay Workgroups
In this guide, references to the Interplay Engine also refer to the Archive Engine, unless
n
otherwise noted.
Central Configuration Server
If a production facility includes more than one Interplay workgroup, you can specify one Interplay Engine as the Central Configuration Server (CCS). The CCS is an Interplay Engine module that stores information that is common to all other Interplay Engines. The CCS provides a means to manage user accounts across multiple workgroups. For more information, see “Understanding the Central Configuration Server” on page 91.
Server Execution User
The Server Execution User is a Windows operating system user that runs the Interplay Engine processes. You specify the user name and password for the Server Execution User when you install the Interplay Engine on the server. The Server Execution User needs local administrator rights on the operating system for the Interplay Engine server and read/write access to the Avid shared-storage file system.
For more information, see “Troubleshooting the Server Execution User Account” on
page 194.
Avid Interplay as a Client-Server Application
Avid Interplay is designed as a client-server application. The Interplay Engine is configured to run on a central machine that is accessible to all users through a network. An Avid Interplay application that runs on a client machine is a client of the Avid Interplay Engine server. Avid Interplay client applications, such as Interplay Access, Interplay Assist, Avid Instinct browse multiple databases. The Interplay Administrator is also a client application.
Avid Interplay uses TCP/IP and related protocols for its network communication. Therefore, TCP/IP must be installed on all machines. Since TCP/IP is used to access the Internet, most users already have this component installed. See “Required TCP/IP Ports” on page 231 for more information.
®
, and Avid editing applications that use the Interplay Window can access and
23
1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay Administrator

Using the Avid Interplay Administrator

The Avid Interplay Administrator is a client application that you use to manage either the Interplay Engine or the Interplay Archive Engine. The Interplay Administrator is installed at the same time that you install Interplay Access. You can install the Interplay Administrator as a client on any computer in your network and then use it to manage any Interplay Engine or Interplay Archive Engine that is available on the network. For information on installing Interplay Access and the Interplay Administrator, see the Avid Interplay Software Installation and Configuration Guide.
The Interplay Administrator provides you with the tools you need for the following major tasks:
Setting up a new database. See “Creating an Interplay Database” on page 31.
Backing up the database. Backing up the database regularly protects your data, allowing you to restore the database to a saved state in the event of failure. See “Creating and
Restoring Database Backups” on page 36.
Maintenance tasks, such as locking, unlocking, and restarting the server. See “Server
Settings” on page 81.
Creating, editing, and deleting user accounts and managing user authorization. See
“User Management” on page 91.
Configuring client applications and the workgroup. See “Site Settings” on page 127.
Configuring the Interplay Archive Engine. See “Specifying Archive Settings” on
page 154. For more information on archiving, see Avid Interplay Best Practices and the
Avid Interplay Media Services Setup and User’s Guide..
Configuring Application Settings and Avid Interplay Services. See “Application
Settings” on page 163 and “Avid Interplay Services” on page 189.

Starting the Avid Interplay Administrator

To start the Avid Interplay Administrator:
1. Do one of the following:
t Click the Start button and then select All Programs > Avid >
Avid Interplay Access Utilities > Avid Interplay Administrator.
t From Interplay Access, select Tools > Open Interplay Administrator.
The Avid Interplay Administrator Server Login screen appears.
24
Starting the Avid Interplay Administrator
The first time you open the Interplay Administrator, the Server text box is empty. If you have already logged into a server, the text box shows the last server you logged in to.
2. Select the server you want to work with by doing one of the following:
t Accept the server that is displayed.
t Type the name of the server that you want to log in to. You can also use an IP
address.
t Click the arrow for the Server list and select the server name from the list.
The first part of the list shows recent servers, the second part of the list shows servers that were added manually (not on a local area network), and the third part shows servers available on your local area network.
t Click the arrow for the server list and select Add Server. Type a new server name.
25
1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay Administrator
3. Type a user name and password for an account with administration rights.
On the first start after installing the Avid Interplay Engine, only the user Administrator exists. Type “Administrator” in the dialog box. The password is empty by default. Change the password of the Administrator as soon as possible (see “Viewing and
Setting Attributes” on page 110).
The Interplay Administrator account is different from the Server Execution User account.
n
The Interplay Administrator account is used to manage users and the database. The Server Execution User account is used to run the Interplay Engine processes.
4. Click Connect.
The Interplay Administrator window opens.
If you have any problems logging in, see “Troubleshooting Login Problems” on
page 191.

Using the Avid Interplay Administrator Window

The Avid Interplay Administrator window is divided into six groups: Database, Server, User Management, Site Settings, Application Settings, and Avid Interplay Services. The name of the Interplay Engine server you are connected to is displayed in the upper right of the window.
26
Using the Avid Interplay Administrator Window
Each group contains views for managing components of the Avid Interplay Engine. Each group is described in a separate section of this guide:
“Database Settings” on page 31
“Server Settings” on page 81
“User Management” on page 91
“Site Settings” on page 127
“Application Settings” on page 163
“Avid Interplay Services” on page 189
27
1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay Administrator

Opening an Interplay Administrator View

To open an Interplay Administrator view:
t In the Interplay Administrator window, click an icon.
The view you select replaces the Interplay Administrator window. Each view includes a path that shows the relative location of that view. The following illustration shows part of the Create Database view. In this example, the path shows that the Create Database view is included in the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window (In the path, the Interplay Administrator window is represented as the Interplay Server).
To return to the Interplay Administrator window:
t Click the Menu button in the upper left of the view.

Opening Interplay Help

The Interplay Help system is installed when you install the Interplay Engine. The Interplay Help system provides all user and administrator information that is contained in the Interplay manuals. The Interplay Administrator Help menu provides four entry points, corresponding to four Interplay applications:
Interplay Administration Help
Interplay Media Services Help
Interplay Transfer Help
Interplay Installation Help
You can access the entire Help system, including the Search and Index tabs, from any of those entry points by clicking the Show Navigation button.
28

Exiting the Avid Interplay Administrator

To access Interplay Help:
t Select Help, and then select the desired application.
t Select Documentation Website on Server.
The Avid Interplay User Information Center page opens. You can open the Help, PDF versions of the Interplay user guides, and other useful links. See “Viewing Help and
Documentation on the Interplay Portal” on page 15
Exiting the Avid Interplay Administrator
When you are finished using the Avid Interplay Administrator, you should log out or close the application. Logging out can be convenient if you want to log in to a different database.
To log out:
t Click the Log out button in the upper right of the Interplay Administrator window.
The application remains open, with the login screen displayed.
To close the Interplay Administrator, do one of the following:
t Select File > Exit.
t Click the close button in the upper right of the window.
The Interplay Administrator window closes.
29
1 Getting Started with the Avid Interplay Administrator
30

2 Database Settings

The Database settings allow you to create, configure, and manage the Interplay database. The following topics describe how to use these settings:
Creating an Interplay Database
Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and Files
Limits on the Number of Assets and Objects in the Interplay Database
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
Performing a Consistency Check
Viewing Database Information
Locking and Unlocking Databases
Managing Databases: Deactivating, Activating, and Migrating
Moving a Database to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)
Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)
Moving a Database to Another Server (Clustered Systems)
Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Clustered Systems)
Moving a Database Under Low Disk Space Conditions
Renaming a Database

Creating an Interplay Database

The Create Database view lets you name and create a new Interplay database. You need to create an Interplay database after you install the Interplay Engine and Interplay Access software.
c
Avid supports only one database for each Interplay Engine. The database must be named AvidWG, or for an Archive Engine database, AvidAM.
The root folder for a new database is set during the installation of the Interplay Engine software. By default, the installation program creates one shared folder for both the metadata database and the source files for file assets (the file repository). The default location is the
2 Database Settings
D:\Workgroup_Databases folder (or S:\Workgroup_Databases on a cluster system). This folder is represented by the administrative share name WG_Database$. The $ indicates a hidden share.
To identify the actual folder, open a Command Prompt window and type
n
If the Interplay Engine server does not have adequate local storage for your Interplay database (for example, if your facility stores a large number of file assets in the Interplay database), you can configure the Interplay Engine to store only the metadata database on the Interplay Engine. The file repository and all other database files and folders can be stored on an Avid shared-storage workspace. This configuration is called a split database.
If you are going to use a split database configuration, the most efficient approach is to specify how to divide the database before you create it. You specify the locations in the Server Settings view (see “Changing the Database and Data Locations” on page 81) and then create the database in the Create Database view.
The following illustration shows the Create Database view with two locations specified:
The metadata database will be installed in \\DOCWG\WG_Database$, which represents a folder on the Interplay Engine (by default, D:\Workgroup_Databases).
The file repository will be installed in \\AAC-ISIS\File_Assets\, which is a shared storage workspace that you need to set in the Server Settings view.
net share
.
32

Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and Files

For complete information on configuring a split database, see “Configuring Interplay for a
Split Database” on page 199.
To create an Interplay database:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Create Database icon.
The Create Database view opens.
2. In the New Database Information area, leave the default “AvidWG” in the Database Name text box. For an archive database, leave the default “AvidAM.” These are the only two supported database names.
3. Type a description for the database in the Description text box, such as “Main Production Server.”
4. Select “Create default Avid Interplay structure.”
After the database is created, a set of default folders within the database are visible in Interplay Access and other Interplay clients. For more information about these folders, see the Avid Interplay Access User’s Guide.
5. Keep the root folder for the New Database Location (Meta Data).
The metadata database must reside on the Interplay Engine server.
6. Keep the root folder for the New Data Location (Assets).
If you are creating a split database, this entry should show the Avid shared-storage workspace that you set in the Server Settings view (see “Changing the Database and
Data Locations” on page 81).
7. Click Create to create directories and files for the database.
The Interplay database is created. For information about the folders and files that compose the database, see “Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and Files” on page 33.
Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and Files
When the Interplay Engine creates a database, it creates a set of directories and files in the locations you specified in the Create Database view (see “Creating an Interplay Database”
on page 31).
The Interplay Engine also creates a user database, which is located on the server that you designated as the Central Configuration Server during the installation (see “Understanding
the Central Configuration Server” on page 91).
33
2 Database Settings
Database File Structure
The database file structure is based on the administrative share that was set during the Interplay Engine installation. By default, this administrative share is named WG_Database$ and is associated with the folder D:\Workgroup_Databases (S:\Workgroup_Databases for cluster systems). The “$” indicates a hidden share. To identify the actual folder, open a Command Prompt window and type
This folder contains either the AvidWG or the AvidAM folder. If the server is functioning as the Central Configuration server, the folder also includes the _InternalData folder. The following table describes these folders:
Database Description
_Internal Data User database: Contains Central Configuration Server information such
AvidWG Interplay Engine database: Contains metadata for Avid assets and file
AvidAM Interplay Archive Engine database: Contains archived metadata for
net share
as users and roles.
assets, and source files for file assets.
Avid assets and file assets, and source files for file assets.
.
34
c
Split Database
If you configured your system to create a split database (either when creating a database or after installation), an AvidWG folder exists on both the Interplay Engine server and the shared storage workspace. Only the _Database folder is located on the Interplay Engine server. The other folders are located on the shared storage workspace. For more information about working with a split database, see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on
page 199.
Database Folders and Files
The following table lists the folders that are included in the AvidWG or AvidAM folders. During normal work, users or administrators do not need to work directly with these folders and files. All access for normal work is through Avid Interplay products. You need to work with these files when splitting a database or possibly when troubleshooting a problem.
You should exclude the _Database and _PropertyStore folders of each database from any kind of virus checking because virus checking tools might try to lock the database files).
Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and Files
Database Directories and Files
Directory or File Directory or File Description
_Database The main database directory, which contains database files and the database
journal. These files contain the database structure and all metadata. All files within this folder contain binary information and cannot be viewed or edited with a text editor.
If you are working with a split database, this directory is located on the Interplay Engine server and other directories are located on a shared storage workspace.
_Master The main data directory, which contains the source files for file assets that are
managed by the database (the file repository). This directory contains source files for all versions of the file assets.
Source files for Avid assets are always stored in Avid media folders on
n
shared storage. If you are working with a split database, this directory is located on a shared storage workspace.
Handover Directories: _Import, _CheckIn, _PropertyHandover, _Handover
_PropertyStore The database directory that contains files holding the contents of streamed
_Backup The data folder that contains backup versions of the database that are created
AvidWG.pro, AvidAM.pro A cookie file representing the database. It contains no vital information, but it is
Folderlocations.xml A file that informs the server about the location of the _Database directory. If
_Buckets Not currently used.
Whenever a file is copied from the client to the server, the file is first copied into one of these directories, depending on what operation (check in, import, and so on) was performed. The server then moves the file from these handover directories into the _Master directory.
properties. Streamed properties include metadata about Avid assets, such as head frames and AAF information.
through the automated backup process (see “Scheduling Automatic Database
Backups” on page 41).
needed to activate a deactivated database (see “Activating a Deactivated
Database” on page 64).
you set a new location for the file assets, you might need to edit this file. See
“Splitting a Database for Existing Interplay Installations” on page 205.
35
2 Database Settings

Limits on the Number of Assets and Objects in the Interplay Database

The Avid Interplay database supports up to 5 million database objects and a smaller number of database assets. The number of assets is smaller because some assets, such as master clips and sequences, are associated with multiple objects.
The following list shows some of the things that can increase the number of objects in the database:
The number of audio and video tracks associated with master clips. For example, a master clip with two audio tracks and one video track has four database objects: one for the master clip and one for each audio and video track.
The number of copies of master clips and sequences in different folders in the database. Each copy represents a copy of the related database objects.
The number of versions of sequences. For example, each version of a sequence contains separate database objects for the sequence, its master clips, and related tracks.
For information about determining the size of the Interplay database, see “Viewing Database
Information” on page 60.

Creating and Restoring Database Backups

There are two basic approaches to backing up an Interplay database:
Using a combination of backups scheduled through the Interplay Administrator (automatic backups) and manual backups of other parts of the database. This approach should be used as part of a regular backup strategy.
Using a professional backup tool to do a complete backup to offline media. This backup should include both the Interplay backup and the folders that Interplay backup process does not include.
Creating a complete copy of the complete database using Robocopy or 7-Zip is useful before doing a major system upgrade. These tools can be used in place of a professional backup tool. However, keep in mind that performance and stability might suffer.
The following topics provide information about creating and restoring database backups:
“Types of Interplay Administrator Backups” on page 37
“Recommendations for Backup Configuration” on page 37
“Scheduling Automatic Database Backups” on page 41
“Starting a Backup Manually” on page 45
36
“Using an Archiving Tool for Backup” on page 46
“Restoring an Earlier Version of a Database” on page 48

Types of Interplay Administrator Backups

The Interplay Administrator lets you run create two different kinds of metadata backups: a Complete metadata backup and a Fast metadata backup. You can schedule backups to run automatically or you can run a backup manually. The following table describes the different types of backups.
Backup Type Description
Complete (Full) backup Creates copies of database files in the _Database folder and streamed
properties files in the _PropertyStore folder. Streamed properties include metadata about Avid assets, such as head frames and AAF information. This is the preferred backup.
Fast backups:
- Incremental Creates copies of database files and streamed properties files that were added to the database since the last Complete Backup, the last Incremental Backup, or the last Differential Backup.
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
- Differential Creates copies of database files and streamed properties files that were added to the database since the last Complete Backup. In most cases, this backup takes longer to perform than an Incremental backup.
- Metadata Only (Manual backup only) Creates copies of database files in the _Database folder, but not streamed properties files in the _PropertyStore folder. This type of Fast backup is less useful than an Incremental or Differential backup. See “Starting a Backup Manually” on page 45.
c
The _PropertyStore folder is critical if you need to completely restore Avid assets. Avid recommends that you schedule a Complete backup once a week and a Fast backup (either Incremental or Differential) daily.
For information on how to restore a database, see “Restoring a Complete Backup or a Fast
Backup” on page 50.

Recommendations for Backup Configuration

Automatic backups, as scheduled through the Interplay Administrator, do not back up the entire database, so they are only one component of a complete backup strategy.
37
2 Database Settings
The following table lists the different types of backups needed to completely back up the Interplay database. For an Interplay archive, substitute AvidAM for AvidWG.
Type of Backup Folders or Files Backed Up
Fast Metadata Only backup AvidWG\_Database
c
Complete (Full) backup Fast Incremental backup Fast Differential backup
Manual backup AvidWG\_Master
AvidWG\_Database AvidWG\_PropertyStore
AvidWG\_InternalData AvidWG\AvidWG.pro AvidWG\FolderLocations.xml WG_Database$\_InternalData
See “Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and
Files” on page 33 for descriptions of these
folders and files. It is not necessary to back up AvidWG\_Backup unless you want to make a backup of automated backups. Other folders in AvidWG do not need to be backed up because they are temporary folders that are automatically recreated.
This type of manual backup might involve tape backup or another kind of backup process.
The _Master folder, which holds source files for file assets, is not included in the automatic backup, which includes only metadata. It must be backed up by another backup method regularly. Also be aware that the automatic backup process does not back up Avid media files on shared storage workspaces.
38
It is extremely important to use the automatic backup process available through the Interplay Administrator instead of just a tape backup for backing up the _Database and _PropertyStore folders. Tape backups can be:
Inconsistent: A tape backup of the _Database folder while the server is running can lead to inconsistent backup files because the server might not have applied all the transactions to the database yet.
Inconvenient: Because it is not safe to make tape backups of the _Database folder while the server is running, the server must be completely shut down during tape backup, causing inconvenience.
Unpredictable and dangerous: The backup might lock the database files. This prevents the server from reading and writing those files. The database could become damaged.
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
Automatic backup ensures database consistency.
Recommended Backup Configuration
Avid recommends the following backup configuration:
Enable a daily Avid Interplay database backup. The backup should be set to run once daily at night, when the server is not being used or usage is lowest. See “Scheduling
Automatic Database Backups” on page 41.
Decide whether to schedule the daily backup as a Complete backup or Fast backup. If you have a very large database, you can save time by scheduling a Fast backup daily and a Complete backup every few days. However, keep in mind that a Complete backup is needed to restore Avid assets. Because Complete backups can affect system performance, schedule Complete backups when the server is not being used or when usage is lowest. See “Types of Interplay Administrator Backups” on page 37.
Check the “number of backups to keep” setting. The Avid Interplay Engine always keeps the last Complete backup and any later Fast backups. If you want to keep more than one Complete backup, change the “number of Backups to keep” setting to be larger than the number of scheduled Fast backups. The default setting is 10.
The number of backups to keep includes Complete and Fast backups. When the number of backups to keep is exceeded, the system deletes the oldest backup after the last Complete backup. For example, if you schedule Complete backups once a week and schedule Fast backups every day, the number of backups to keep must be larger than 6. Otherwise, on the sixth day the system will delete the second-to-last Complete backup.
Determine where to store the automatic backups. By default, the _Backup folder is located in the Workgroup_Databases folder. Depending on the size of the database, you might need to change the location to store backups. If you select a custom location, you can rename the folder from _Backup to another name.
Non-cluster systems: The default path is
- D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup
If you are working with a split database, by default the _Backup folder is located with the file repository on the shared-storage workspace, for example:
-\\SharedStorageServer\WorkspaceName\AvidWG\_Backup
Storing backups on shared storage is an acceptable configuration, either as part of a split database or as a custom location.
Prior to Interplay Engine v1.2.4, storing backups on shared storage was not recommended
n
because of the large number of small files included in the backup. However, the backup mechanism included with Interplay Engine v1.2.4 or later significantly reduces the number of files created in the _PropertyStore folder, which reduces the amount of storage required.
39
2 Database Settings
Alternatively, you can store the backups on an external file server. You need to use a UNC path when you specify the location. Make sure the Server Execution User has read/write access to this external file server and the backup folder. See “Troubleshooting
the Server Execution User Account” on page 194.
Cluster systems: The default path is
- S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup
On cluster systems, Avid recommends that you specify \\?\d:\backup as the path for Interplay backups. (This syntax, with a question mark, is known as a Long UNC or UNCW path, and allows for more characters than the 260-character limitation of the short UNC path.) This path will create backups on the local drive of the active node, rather than the Infortrend, thus avoiding a single point of failure.
SR2400 systems were shipped with 73 GB drives, which are too small for regular backups.
n
These systems should be upgraded to include larger drives.
Ensure that the backups are working and actually creating backups. To test the backup, check that the backup subfolders databasename_date_time are being created at the specified times (according to the backup configuration) and that these subfolders are not empty. Every backup should create its own subfolder.
For example, on a non-cluster system, your backup folders might be created in the following location:
40
- D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup
A backup subfolder might be named AvidWG_2007-05-22_03-00.
Enable a different backup mechanism, such as tape backup, for all folders except
the _Database and _PropertyStore folders (see the table at the beginning of this topic). The _Master folder of each database is the most important for the tape backup.
Do not include the _Database and _PropertyStore folders of each database in the tape backup.
After a Complete backup, copy the backup folder to offline media to prevent data loss. You can do this as a separate step or as part of a backup of the complete database to offline media (see the next bullet). Use a backup tool (such as Robocopy or 7-Zip) that can handle long path names and does not use excessive bandwidth, to avoid slowing down activity on the Interplay Engine. (See “Using an Archiving Tool for Backup” on
page 46).
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
Perform a backup of the complete database to offline media. Avid recommends a complete backup to offline media using a professional backup tool. Archive tools such as Robocopy or 7-Zip are useful before doing a major system upgrade. They can be used in place of a professional backup tool. However, performance and stability might suffer.
If you schedule a regular restart of the engine, set it after the regular backup is created. If you restart the Interplay Engine, you cannot create a backup until at least one client connects to the engine. This could be a problem if you schedule a restart and backup at a time when there is little or not activity, such as the middle of the night.
c
The _Database and _PropertyStore folders of each database should be excluded from any kind of virus checking (virus checking tools might try to lock the database files).

Scheduling Automatic Database Backups

The Schedule Backups view in the Interplay Administrator lets you schedule the type and frequency of your automatic backups. You can schedule two kinds of backups: Complete and Fast. You can schedule one of two different Fast backups: Incremental or Differential. For a description of the different types of backups, see “Types of Interplay Administrator
Backups” on page 37.
The Interplay Engine performs an automatic backup without locking or shutting down the server, and users can continue to work with the database. During a backup operation, all actions on the engine are cached to ensure a fully consistent backup. As a result, the performance of the Interplay Engine is slower. You should not schedule large-scale deletions during a backup operation.
Automatic backups create copies of metadata files, but do not create copies of the assets. You need to use a different process, such as tape backup, to back up your assets, as described in “Recommendations for Backup Configuration” on page 37.
c
Only _Database and _PropertyStore are backed up through the Interplay Administrator backup process. Other directories, such as _Master, need to be backed up through a different process.
c
The _PropertyStore folder is critical if you need to completely restore Avid assets. Avid recommends that you schedule a Complete backup once a week and a Fast backup (either Incremental or Differential) daily.
By default, backups are stored in the following folder:
\\InterplayEngine\workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup
41
2 Database Settings
You can specify another location, including shared storage. Make sure the Server Execution User has read/write access this location. For more information, see “Recommendations for
Backup Configuration” on page 37.
For information on restoring a database, see “Restoring a Complete Backup or a Fast
Backup” on page 50.
To schedule database backups:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Schedule Backups icon.
The Schedule Backups view opens.
42
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
2. In the list on the left side of the view, select the database for which you want to view or specify automatic backup settings. The current settings are displayed.
3. (Option) In the Backup Information area, change your preferences if necessary.
“Backup only if modified” is selected by default to save space and avoid duplicate identical copies. The default number of versions to keep is 10. The Avid Interplay Engine always keeps the last Complete backup and later Fast backups. For more information, see “Recommendations for Backup Configuration” on page 37.
43
2 Database Settings
4. (Option) In the Backup Location preference, change the path if desired.
a. Select Custom.
b. Click Browse, and navigate to the location you want. For a shared storage location,
The custom location must be specified as a UNC path. You can also change the name of the folder from _Backup to another name. See “Recommendations for Backup
Configuration” on page 37.
5. (Option) In the Fast Metadata Backup area, select “Fast Metadata Backup Enabled” (disabled by default).
6. (Option) If Fast Metadata Backup is enabled, you can change the Fast backup frequency. The default is set to Daily. You can select any number of days on which you would like to perform Fast backups or you can set a Fast backup for one day a month.
7. (Option) If Fast Metadata Backup is enabled, you can change the Fast backup time by doing one of the following:
- Select Once at and change the hour and minutes (within 10 minute intervals) on
- Select Every and set the backup to occur at regular intervals starting at midnight.
you might need to type the path.
which it occurs using the up and down arrows.
Use the down arrow to select the interval.
44
- Select Custom and specify custom backup times. Use the up and down arrows to
select the time, and then select Add. Repeat to add more times to perform the backup. Select a time and then Remove to cancel a backup.
The Backup time is the Interplay Engine server's local time.
8. In the Complete Metadata Backup area, make sure the option “Complete Metadata Backup Enabled” is selected (default).
Avid recommends that you schedule a Complete backup once a week.
9. (Option) Change the Complete backup frequency. Because Complete backups can take a long time and affect system performance, Avid recommends that you perform Complete backups when the server is not being used or when usage is lowest. The default is set to Sunday. You can select any number of days you would like to perform Complete backups.
10. (Option) Change the Backup time by selecting one of the following:
t Select Once at and change the hour and minutes (within 10 minute intervals) on
which it occurs using the up and down arrows.
t Select Every and set the backup to occur at regular intervals starting at midnight.
Use the down arrow to select the interval.
t Select Custom and specify custom backup times. Use the up and down arrows to
select the time, and then click Add. Repeat to add more times to perform the backup. Select a time and click Remove to cancel a backup.
11. Click the Apply Changes button.

Starting a Backup Manually

You can start an Interplay Administrator Backup manually, rather than waiting for a scheduled automatic backup or changing the existing backup schedules.
To start a backup manually:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Schedule Backups icon.
The Schedule Backups view opens.
2. In the list on the left side of the view, select the database for which you want to view or specify automatic backup settings. The current settings are displayed.
3. At the bottom of the view, click the “Start Backup Now...” button.
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
4. Select the kind of backup you want to create. For a description of the different types of backups, see “Types of Interplay Administrator Backups” on page 37.
5. Click OK
The backup is created in the location you specified. If you navigate to the location, and the backup is still being created, the folder name includes the words “backup in progress.”
45
2 Database Settings

Using an Archiving Tool for Backup

In some circumstances, such as performing a system upgrade, you might want to use an archive tool to create a backup copy of the complete database folder (AvidWG or AvidAM) and the user database folder (_InternalData). For information on the location and contents of the databases, see “Avid Interplay Databases, Folders, and Files” on page 33.
If you create a backup archive, keep in mind that a complete backup can take several hours, during which the Interplay database is locked and deactivated. Also, you need to use a backup tool that can handle long path names (longer than 256 characters). For example, use Robocopy (contained in rktools.exe, available on Microsoft.com) or 7-Zip (an open source utility) to create the archive. You can save backup time by removing old backups from the _Backup folder.
To make a backup copy of the database on a non-cluster system:
1. Open the Interplay Administration tool.
2. Use the following steps to lock the database:
a. Click Lock/Unlock Databases.
b. Select the database in the Unlocked Databases list.
c. Click Lock Database.
46
3. Click Menu and click Manage Databases.
4. Select the AvidWG database and click Deactivate. Select AvidAM for an Archive Engine.
5. Click Menu and click the Restart Server view.
6. Click Restart Server and close the Interplay Administration tool.
7. Use a backup tool to make a copy of the following folders and record their location. The following tables show the default locations.
Interplay Engine or Interplay Archive Engine
Folder Name Default Location
AvidWG (Interplay Engine database)
AvidAM (Archive Engine database)
_InternalData (user database if engine is a Central Configuration Server)
D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG
D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidAM
D:\Workgroup_Databases\_InternalData
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
Interplay Engine (Split Database)
Folder Name Default Location
AvidWG (_Database folder only) D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG
AvidWG (all other database folders) \\SharedStorageServer\WorkspaceName\AvidWG
_InternalData (user database if engine is a Central Configuration Server)
To make a backup copy of the database on a cluster system:
D:\Workgroup_Databases\_InternalData
1. Open the Interplay Administration tool.
2. Use the following steps to lock the database:
a. Click Lock/Unlock Databases.
b. Select the database in the Unlocked Databases list.
c. Click Lock Database.
3. Click Menu and click Manage Databases.
4. Select the AvidWG database and click Deactivate. Select AvidAM for an Archive Engine.
5. Close the Interplay Administration tool.
6. Click Start and select Programs > Administrative Tools > Cluster Administrator.
7. Open the Groups folder.
8. Select the Avid Workgroup Server group.
9. Select the Avid Workgroup Server resource and take if offline.
10. If you performed the previous step correctly, drive S: should still be accessible within the Windows environment. If it is not available, use the Cluster Administration tool to put drive S: online by clicking on the disk resource within the “Avid Workgroup Server Group” and selecting online.
47
2 Database Settings
11. Use a backup tool to make a copy of the following folders and record their location.
Interplay Engine or Interplay Archive Engine
Folder Name Default Location
AvidWG (Interplay Engine database)
AvidAM (Archive Engine database)
_InternalData (user database if engine is a Central Configuration Server)
Interplay Engine (Split Database)
Folder Name Default Location
AvidWG (_Database folder only) S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG
AvidWG (all other database folders) \\SharedStorageServer\WorkspaceName\AvidWG
_InternalData (user database if engine is a Central Configuration Server)
On cluster systems, Avid recommends that you specify \\?\d:\backup as the path for Interplay
n
backups.See “Recommendations for Backup Configuration” on page 37.
S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG
S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidAM
S:\Workgroup_Databases\_InternalData
S:\Workgroup_Databases\_InternalData

Restoring an Earlier Version of a Database

Restoring a backup version of the _Database and _PropertyStore folders returns a database to the state it was in when the backup was created. Before restoring a database, make sure that it is really necessary, because changes since the backup will be lost.
48
To restore a backup, you need to run the InterplayRestore tool in a Command Prompt window. The InterplayRestore tool is installed in the following folder:
C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Interplay Engine\Server
The tool includes in-line help that describes all options for using the tool.
The following topics provide instructions for restoring an earlier version of a database:
“Restoring a Complete Backup or a Fast Backup” on page 50
“Using the InterplayRestore Tool on the Interplay Engine Server” on page 53
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
“Database Restore Session Example” on page 56
“Using the BackupArchive Tool to Restore Files” on page 57
“Restoring Archived Log Files” on page 60
You cannot restore parts of a backup, for example, a specific sequence or folder. You can restore only a Complete backup or a Fast backup.
How the Restore Tool Works with Streamed Properties Files
Beginning with Interplay Engine v1.2.4, the Interplay backup mechanism consolidates the streamed properties files (all files in the _PropertyStore folder) into large “archive” files. These files are written into the _PropertyStore folder of the corresponding backup folder. The archive files are named streamed_propx.bar, where x is replaced with an increasing number starting with 1. The files are about 1 GB each, except for the last one (with the highest suffix number), which can be smaller. The exact file size varies depending on the size of the individual streamed property files, because a single streamed property file is never split up between two .bar files. The backup mechanism also writes a file named streamed_prop.bin in the same folder. This file contains a directory of all streamed property files contained in the backup and is used only by the BackupArchive tool (see “Using the
BackupArchive Tool to Restore Files” on page 57). The .bin file is not required by the
InterplayRestore tool.
The InterplayRestore tool is able to work with both the consolidated streamed property files as well as a backup created by an earlier version of the Interplay Engine. The tool looks for the streamed_prop1.bar file in the _PropertyStore folder of the backup. If this file does not exist, it assumes that the backup was created by an earlier version of the engine and resumes with the restore procedure in the same way as earlier versions of the restore tool. Otherwise, it restores the streamed properties from the consolidated .bar files.
How the Restore Tool Renames Folders
When the tool begins the restore, it locks the database and then renames the existing folder _Database to _Database.1. If you are performing a restore from a Complete backup, the tool also renames _PropertyStore to _PropertyStore.1.
If a folder _Database.1 already exists, the tool creates _Database.2, and so on up to _Database.9. The tool uses the first free number between 1 and 9 when it renames the _Database and _PropertyStore folders. If no number is free, you need to delete some of the previously renamed folders so that the tool can run.
If the backup restore is not completed (if you kill the process, if the system crashes, if you get an error message, and so on), you can restore the system to its previous state by deleting the _Database folder (and possibly the _PropertyStore folder) that the tool created and renaming _Database.1 to _Database (and _PropertyStore.1 to _PropertyStore).
49
2 Database Settings
After you verify that the backup ran successfully and your database is working correctly, you can save storage space by deleting the numbered backup folders ( _Database.x and _PropertyStore.x) created during the restore process.
Restoring a Complete Backup or a Fast Backup
To restore a database, you need to restore a Complete backup, a Fast backup, or both, depending on the type of backups available. (see “Types of Interplay Administrator
Backups” on page 37 for a description of each type of backup).
A Complete backup contains a _Database folder and a _PropertyStore folder. A Complete backup is needed if the complete database needs to be restored, for example, if a hard disk crashes.
A Fast Incremental Backup and a Fast Differential Backup also contain a _Database folder and a _PropertyStore folder. If you restore a Differential or Incremental backup, all backups it depends on must be in the same backup location.
The following backups must be in the same folder:
- For a Differential backup, the last Complete backup before the backup you are
restoring.
- For an Incremental backup, the last Complete backup and the necessary Incremental
or Differential backups between the last Complete backup and the backup you are restoring.
50
You do not need all backups between the last Complete backup and the backup you are restoring. You need the most recent Complete backup, the most recent Differential backup (if any), and any Incremental backups since the last Complete or Differential backup.
For example, if a sequence of backups looks like this: c(complete)1 -> i(incremental)1 -> i2 -> d(differential)1 -> i3 -> i4 -> d2 -> i5 -> i6, to restore i6 the backups you need in the same folder are c1, d2, i5, and i6. You need these files because i6 contains the changes since i5, which contains the changes since d2, which contains the changes since c1.
Deleted streamed properties remain in the _PropertyStore folder until the next Complete backup.
A Fast Metadata Only backup contains only a _Database folder, and can only be run manually. A Fast Metadata Only backup is limited in its usefulness. You can use it to restore the database structure if it becomes corrupted, but it does not restore the contents of the _PropertyStore folder. To restore the contents of the _PropertyStore folder, you need to restore the most recent Complete backup, Incremental backup, or Differential backup, as described above.
The InterplayRestore tool automatically identifies the type of backup that you select.
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
Fast Metadata Only backup folder
Complete, Fast Incremental, or Fast Differential backup folder
Distinguishing Between Types of Backups
To distinguish between a Fast Metadata Only backup and the other types of backups, open the backup folder and check if a _PropertyStore folder exists. A Fast Metadata Only backup does not contain a _PropertyStore folder.
To distinguish between Complete, Fast Incremental, and Fast Differential backups, open the backup folder and then open the inventory.xml file in Notepad or another text editor. The type of backup is listed, along with other information.
51
2 Database Settings
Fast Incremental backup type
Example of a Complete Restore Process
Imagine that you have a backup schedule of a Complete backup on Saturday and a Fast Differential backup every other day of the week. If there is a failure on Friday in which the _Database folder, the _PropertyStore folder, and other Interplay folders are lost or corrupted, you need to perform the following steps:
52
1. Use the InterplayRestore tool to restore the latest Fast Differential backup (from Thursday).
2. To add metadata missing from the _PropertyStore folder, check in bins created for projects since the Thursday backup.
3. Restore the _Master folder, the _InternalData folder, and other folders through whatever mechanism you use for backup.
4. Resynchronize media files with shared storage workspaces. In Interplay Access, right-click the database name and select Resync. For more information, see “Resyncing Media Files with Avid Shared-Storage Workspaces” in the Avid Interplay Access User’s Guide or the Interplay Access Help.
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
Using the InterplayRestore Tool on the Interplay Engine Server
To restore a backup, you need to run the InterplayRestore tool in a Command Prompt window. There are two ways to run the tool:
Without parameters, in which case the tool prompts you for the necessary entries (interactive mode).
With parameters, in which case the tool runs without prompting, depending on the number of parameters included. You can use these parameters to create a batch file that partially automates the restore process.
To restore an earlier version of a database from a backup using interactive mode:
1. On the Interplay Engine server, click Programs and select Accessories > Command Prompt.
2. At the command line, navigate to the folder that contains InterplayRestore. For example, type:
cd C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Interplay Engine\Server
and press Enter.
3. Type:
InterplayRestore
and press Enter.
4. InterplayRestore prompts you for the database root directory. Type the path and press Enter.
You can use a local path or a UNC path. For example:
D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG
\\IEServer\WG_Database$\AvidWG
You can use the administrative share name WG_Database$ only in a UNC path.
5. The next prompt asks if you are restoring a split database configuration.
If you answer yes, the next prompt asks you to enter the Interplay database asset path, which is the path to the AvidWG folder on shared storage. Enter a UNC path, for example:
\\SharedStorageServer\WorkspaceName\AvidWG\
6. At the next prompt, type the backup home directory and press Enter. For example:
D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup
If you are working with a split database, this location is probably on the shared storage server. For example:
\\SharedStorageServer\WorkspaceName\AvidWG\_Backup
53
2 Database Settings
7. At the next prompt, select the correct backup from the numbered list of available backups. Complete backups are labeled “full” and Fast backups are labeled “increment” “difference,” or “metadataonly.” After you select the backup, press Enter.
The restore process begins. For an example of the process, see “Database Restore
Session Example” on page 56. At the end of the process, a message informs you that
you need to restore the _Master directory manually.
8. Restore your _Master folder through whatever mechanism you use for backup.
The _Master database is not backed up by the automated backup feature of Interplay. See
n
“Recommendations for Backup Configuration” on page 37.
9. Unlock the database by using the Lock/Unlock Database view in the Interplay Administrator.
10. Check to make sure you can access the restored database from Interplay Access, and that you can preview clip headframes.
11. Delete the _Database.1 and _PropertyStore.1 directories, or whatever numbered backup directories were created through the restore process. See “Restoring an Earlier Version
of a Database” on page 48.
To restore an earlier version of a database from a backup by passing parameters to the tool, do one of the following:
54
t For a non-split database, navigate to the folder that holds InterplayRestore, type the
following, and press Enter:
InterplayRestore /m <database metadata root dir> /backupdir <database backup dir>
For example:
InterplayRestore /m d:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG /backupdir d:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup
InterplayRestore prompts you to choose from a numbered list of available backups and then restores the earlier version. Continue with steps 8 through 11 above.
The parameter
n
on the complete syntax for the tool by entering
Because the paths for the
n
you can create a batch file that includes these values, as in the previous example. To restore the database, run the batch file and select the number of the backup you want to restore.
/m
is a short version of the parameter
/metadata
and
/backupdir
/metadata
InterplayRestore /help
parameters are unlikely to change,
. You can view information
.
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
t For a split database, navigate to the folder that holds InterplayRestore, type the
following, and press Enter:
InterplayRestore /m <database metadata root dir> /assets <split database asset directory> /backupdir <database backup dir>
For example:
InterplayRestore /m d:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG /assets \\isis\workspace1\AvidWG /backupdir \\isis\workspace1\AvidWG\_Backup
InterplayRestore prompts you to choose from a numbered list of available backups and then restores the earlier version. Continue with steps 8 through 11 above.
Because the paths for the
n
to change, you can create a batch file that includes these values, as in the previous example.
/metadata ,/assets
, and
/backupdir
parameters are unlikely
To restore the database, run the batch file and select the number of the backup you want to restore.
t If you know the specific backup you want to restore, navigate to the folder that holds
InterplayRestore, type the following, and press Enter:
InterplayRestore /m <database metadata root dir> /backupdir <database backup dir> /backuptorestore <backup folder for restore>
For example:
InterplayRestore /m d:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG /backupdir d:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup /backuptorestore d:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup\AvidWG_2007-08-20_01-00
InterplayRestore restores the earlier version. Continue with steps 8 through 11 above.
55
2 Database Settings
Database Restore Session Example
The following is an example of an interactive session, which begins with the command for starting the InterplayRestore tool.
C:\>”C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Interplay Engine\Server\InterplayRestore”
********************************************************************
InterplayRestore - Restore Interplay databases from backup
A non interactive mode is also available. Run "InterplayRestore.exe /?" for help
Enter the Interplay database root or metadata directory:
D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG
Is this a split database configuration? <y/n> y
Enter the Interplay database asset path: \\isis\workspace1\AvidWG
Enter the backup root directory: \\isis\workspace1\AvidWG\_Backup
Choose a backup to restore from:
[1] Tuesday, June 10, 2010 3:05:00 AM full
[2] Thursday, June 12, 2010 3:04:00 AM increment
[3] Friday, June 13, 2010 3:05:00 AM full
[4] Saturday, June 14, 2010 3:00:00 AM full
Choose an entry ( 1 - 4 ):
56
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
Assume you choose 1. The tool locks the project so that no one can access the database and then copies the files:
Beginning restore from \\isis\workspace1\avidwg\_Backup\AvidWG_2010-06-10_03-05\
This is a Full backup
Restoring split database. Metadata restored to d:\Workgroup_Databases\avidwg\. PropertyStore Assets restored to \\isis\workspace1\avidwg
Locked project AvidWG
Copying files into d:\Workgroup_Databases\avidwg\_Database
Copying file AvidWG.dor
...
It leaves the database locked and gives you the following message:
Database AvidWG is still locked because you need to restore _Master manually, or through your existing tape backup mechanism.
When you are done restoring _Master, use the Lock/Unlock Database view in Interplay Administrator to unlock the AvidWG database. This will complete your restore operation.
Using the BackupArchive Tool to Restore Files
The BackupArchive tool is a command-line program that lets you work with files contained in the _PropertyStore folder contained in a database backup. The _PropertyStore folder holds streamed properties, which are files that include metadata about Avid assets, such as headframes and AAF information. The streamed property files are backed up (as an archive) in one or more .bar files in the _PropertyStore backup folder. For more information about .bar files, see “Restoring an Earlier Version of a Database” on page 48.
You can use the BackupArchive tool to display a list of all streamed properties files in the _PropertyStore backup folder. You can also use it in an emergency situation in which the online database is missing and the backup file is corrupt. In this case, you would use the tool to extract as many files as possible from the corrupt backup. It is not a replacement for the InterplayRestore tool.
For example, the following illustration shows the contents of the 0-1999 subfolder in the active _PropertyStore folder on the Interplay Engine:
57
2 Database Settings
The following illustration shows the corresponding files as they appear in the archive file \AvidWG\_Backup\AvidWG_2008-05-04_01-00\_PropertyStore\streamed_prop1.bar:
58
The .bar file is a file that you can only open by using the BackupArchive tool.
In previous versions of Interplay, you could use Windows Explorer to view and work with the
n
streamed properties files in the _PropertyStore backup folder. Because the current backup mechanism uses archive files, you need this tool to view and work with files in the _PropertyStore backup folder.
The following procedures describe how to view a list of streamed properties, how to unpack an archive, and how to extract specific files. If you need to restore the streamed properties to a database in an emergency situation, contact Avid support.
The complete syntax for using the BackupArchive tool is provided in the in-line help, which you can display by typing
To list all streamed properties files in an archive file:
1. On the Interplay Engine, click Programs and select Accessories > Command Prompt.
2. At the command line, navigate to the folder that contains the BackupArchive tool.
BackupArchive
in a Command Prompt window.
Creating and Restoring Database Backups
For example, type the following and press Enter:
cd C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Interplay Engine\Server
3. Type the following and press Enter:
backuparchive /L <archive>
Do not use the file extension when typing the name of the archive file. For example,
backuparchive /L \\docisis\workspace3\AvidWG\_Backup\AvidWG_2008-05-04_01-00\_Propert yStore\streamed_prop
Make sure to type the command on a single line.
To direct the output of this command to a text file for easier review, add
n
the end of the command.
To unpack all streamed properties files:
t Type the following and press Enter:
backuparchive /U <archive> <destination folder>
Do not use the file extension when typing the name of the archive file. For example, the following command unpacks all property store files into a temporary folder on the Interplay Engine:
backuparchive /U \\docisis\workspace3\AvidWG\_Backup\AvidWG_2008-05-04_01-00\_Propert yStore\streamed_prop D:\Workgroup_Databases\TempPropertyStore
Make sure to type the command on a single line.
To extract and restore specific streamed properties files:
t Type the following and press Enter:
backuparchive /E /P:<pattern> <archive> <destination folder>
Do not use the file extension when typing the name of the archive file. To define a pattern, you can use the standard Windows syntax. For example, the following command extracts all files whose names include Scr (screenshots) into a temporary folder on the Interplay Engine:
backuparchive /E /P:*Scr* \\docisis\workspace3\AvidWG\_Backup\AvidWG_2008-05-04_01-00\_Propert yStore\streamed_prop D:\Workgroup_Databases\TempPropertyStoreScreenshots
> textfile.txt
to
Make sure to type the command on a single line.
59
2 Database Settings
Restoring Archived Log Files
In Interplay version 1.6 and later, the Interplay Engine compresses and archives log files older than 7 days. The log compression process runs during project backup. (This process runs at most once per day, even if multiple backups are scheduled on the same day.) Archive files (with the extensions .bar and .bin) are stored in the same directory as the log files for 30 days and then are automatically deleted. You can extract the compressed log files from an archive by using the BackupArchive tool described in “Using the BackupArchive Tool to
Restore Files” on page 57.

Performing a Consistency Check

The database Consistency Check compares the version of the database or databases on the master directory with the current database file. The Perform Consistency Check view provides a useful tool for checking if all references are correct, seeing if all necessary files are on the disk, and checking other aspects of the database.
c
The Consistency Check is for support purposes. You should perform this check only if requested by Avid Technical Support.

Viewing Database Information

Use the Database Information view to display information about an Interplay database, including information about the size of the database and the connected users.
The Database Object Statistics section lists total objects for the entire Interplay database, as well as totals for the most common object types. You can use this data to monitor the size of the Interplay database. Currently the Interplay database supports up to 5 million objects (see
“Limits on the Number of Assets and Objects in the Interplay Database” on page 36). Make
sure that you have an effective deletion workflow in place to keep the total number of objects from growing too fast.
Database Object Statistics are displayed only for servers that are running Interplay Engine
n
version 1.6 or later.
To view the information about a database:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Database Information icon.
The Database Information view opens.
60
Viewing Database Information
2. Select the database name from the list.
A summary of information about the database is displayed:
- Name and description: Either AvidWG (Interplay Engine) or AvidAM (Interplay Archive Engine) with a description supplied when the database was first created.
- Root folder for database (Meta Data): See “Creating an Interplay Database” on
page 31.
- Root folder for data (Assets): See “Creating an Interplay Database” on page 31.
- Database Object Statistics: See the introduction to this topic.
- Connected user information: See “Managing Licenses” on page 86.
61
2 Database Settings

Locking and Unlocking Databases

Use the Lock/Unlock Databases view to prevent users from connecting to the database. You might need to lock the database if you are upgrading the database or using a archive tool to create a backup of the database. By default, the database is unlocked.
To lock a database:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Lock/Unlock Database icon.
The Lock/Unlock database view opens.
62
2. Select the database in the Unlocked Databases list.
3. (Option) Type a Lock comment explaining why you are locking the database. This information appears in the Locked Database Information area for the database.
4. Click Lock Database.
Your user ID and the time at which you locked the database are filled in, and the database is displayed in Locked Databases.

Managing Databases: Deactivating, Activating, and Migrating

To unlock a database:
1. Select the database in the Locked Databases list.
2. Click Unlock Database.
The database is displayed in Unlocked Databases.
Managing Databases: Deactivating, Activating, and Migrating
Use the Managing Databases view to remove a database from the list of active databases (deactivate) or to restore it to the list (activate). This view also lets you migrate a database to a new Central Configuration Server (CCS) when necessary.
The following topics provide more information about activating, deactivating, and migrating databases:
Deactivating a Database
Activating a Deactivated Database
Migrating a Database

Deactivating a Database

You might want to prevent users from connecting to a database if the database has been “retired” and the files have been moved elsewhere. In other cases, such as when you are backing up or moving databases, you might need to ensure that no connections can be made to the database to avoid interference. Deactivating the database removes it from the list of active databases.
c
Deactivating a database does not delete the database files. It makes the database inactive so that users cannot connect to it until it is activated again. The database data is kept at the location that was specified when the database was created.
To deactivate a database:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Manage Databases icon.
The Manage Databases view opens.
63
2 Database Settings
2. Select the database name in the Databases list.
3. Click Deactivate.
The database name is removed from the Databases list.

Activating a Deactivated Database

If a specific database is not listed in the Databases view, it means that it is unknown to the Interplay Engine and users cannot connect to it. If the database exists but is not listed, it is probably deactivated. You activate a database by navigating to the database .pro file (AvidWG.pro or AvidAM.pro). This file is located in one of two folders:
For a standard database, the .pro file is located in the Workgroup_Databases folder, represented by the administrative share name WG_Database$ (see “Creating an
Interplay Database” on page 31).
For a split database, the .pro file is located in the Avid_WG folder on the shared storage workspace (see “Preparing for a Split Database” on page 202).
64
Managing Databases: Deactivating, Activating, and Migrating
To add an existing but inactive database to the list of active databases:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Manage Databases icon.
The Manage Databases view opens.
2. Do one of the following:
t In the “Database (.pro) file to activate” text box, type the full UNC path to the .pro
file. For example:
\\IEServer\WG_Database$\AvidWG\AvidWG.pro
t Click the Browse button, log in if prompted, navigate to the .pro file using a
network, select the file, and click Open.
The following illustration shows the path to AvidWG.pro, using the Microsoft Windows smb network and the administrative share WG_Database$.
Avid recommends keeping the default share name WG_Database$. If you decide on a
n
different share name, consider that if the name is longer than 12 characters, you cannot browse to it graphically. If a share name is longer than 12 characters, you need to type the complete path in the “Database (pro) file to activate” text box.
Make sure to navigate through a network to select the file (for example, do not navigate through a mapped network drive). You must use a UNC path.
65
2 Database Settings
Navigating through a network is also required if you are working with a split database. In this case, the .pro file is located on the shared storage server. The following illustration shows the path to AvidWG.pro, using an Avid ISIS network and the workspace where the AvidWG folder is stored. In an Avid Unity MediaNetwork, the network name is “Avid Unity Network.”
66
The .pro file is displayed in the Activate Database dialog box.
Managing Databases: Deactivating, Activating, and Migrating
3. Make sure the option “Load Database on Activation” is selected. Deselect this option only if directed by Avid support.
4. Click Activate.
The database is activated and loaded. The database name is displayed in the Databases list and users can connect to the database. If the option “Load Database on Activation” is selected, the database is automatically unlocked.

Migrating a Database

You usually need to perform a database migration under the following circumstances:
When you want to remove all users and group-related data from a database. This allows you to start with new users and groups and maintain the metadata and the data inside the database.
When you are troubleshooting a problem with customer support. For example, customer support might ask you to provide a copy of your database.
67
2 Database Settings
If you changed the Central Configuration Server (CCS) for a database without first moving the _InternalData folder. If a database needs to be migrated, the State reads “Database Requires Migration.”
Do not use a database that requires migration; always migrate a database to a CCS. You cannot administer an unmigrated database.
If a database needs migration, the database icon shows a red box with an X and a yellow arrow. The database icon appears in several views in the Interplay Administrator, including the Manage Database Roles view.
(Red box with X and yellow arrow) Database needs migration.
c
c
When you migrate a database, the system deletes all the information inside the database that was stored from the old CCS, including users, user settings and local administration settings.
If you plan to migrate an Interplay Engine or Interplay Archive Engine database, turn off the database backup process before you perform the migration. If you do not turn off the backup process and it coincides with the migration, your backup will write out an inconsistent state of the database (half current and half migrated).
To migrate a database to a new CCS:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Manage Databases icon.
The Manage Databases view opens.
68

Moving a Database to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)

2. In the Manage Databases view, click the name of the database that needs migration. The State reads “Database Requires Migration.”
A warning explains the consequences of a database migration.
3. Click Migrate Database.
After the migration, the State reads “OK.” The database now has the CCS users and administration properties of the new CCS you have set.
Moving a Database to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)
Under special circumstances, you might need to move a database to a different server.
The following procedure refers to Interplay Engine servers that are not configured as failover clusters. For clustered systems, see “Moving a Database to Another Server
(Clustered Systems)” on page 73.
c
Avid recommends that you have telephone support from Avid during the process in case complications arise.
69
2 Database Settings
c
If you move a database to a server that points to a different CCS, all the old CCS information that was stored, including users, user settings, and local administration settings for the database, will be lost because you will have to migrate the database (see
“Migrating a Database” on page 67). If you move a database to another server and also
move the CCS, however, this information is preserved. To move both a database and a CCS, see “Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)”
on page 71.
To move a database to another server (non-clustered systems):
1. Install the Interplay Engine on a new server (the target server).
Make sure the configuration is the same on both systems. For example, if you are moving an AvidWG database, create an AvidWG database on the new server. If the original system uses a split database, the new system should also use a split database (see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on page 199).
2. On the source server, lock the database by using the Lock/Unlock Database view (see
“Locking and Unlocking Databases” on page 62).
All clients are disconnected from the source server.
3. Deactivate the database by using the Manage Databases view (see “Deactivating a
Database” on page 63).
4. Make sure the database is unloaded from the server by opening the Restart Server view and clicking Restart.
70
5. Locate the database folder on the source server.
The default path is \\server_name\WG_Database$\AvidWG (or AvidAM for an Archive Manager). By default, the administrative share WG_Database$ refers to D:\Workgroup_Databases. For more information, see “Identifying the Root Folder of
the Interplay Server Database” on page 210.
6. Pack the database folder into a zip file or use Robocopy from the Microsoft Windows Resource Kit for path names longer than 256 characters.
To save time and storage, you do not need to copy all the backups in the D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup folder. One complete backup and the most recent Fast backup are sufficient.
If you are moving a split database, create two zip files, one for D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG and the other for \\server_name\\workspace_name\\AvidWG.
7. Copy the zipped file or files to a network server, removable media, laptop, or directly to the target server.
8. Open the Interplay Administrator, log on to the target server, and deactivate the database (AvidWG or AvidAM) if one is active, using the Manage Databases View.

Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)

9. On the target server, rename the existing database folder, for example, rename AvidWG to AvidWG_old.
10. If you are copying a non-split database, copy the zipped file to the target server and unzip the file to the Workgroup_Databases folder. Make sure the path on the target server matches the path on the source server.
If you are copying a split database, copy and unzip both zipped files to the correct locations. Then edit the FolderLocations.xml file to show the correct paths. See
“Splitting a Database for Existing Interplay Installations” on page 205.
11. Activate the database by using the Manage Databases view (see “Activating a
Deactivated Database” on page 64).
12. On an Interplay Access client, log in to the new server and verify that all data is available.
If all data is available, the new database is ready for use.
If necessary, remove the old database from Interplay Access by right-clicking the database name and then clicking Remove Databases.
13. (Option) On the source server, rename the original database folder to avoid unwanted future access.
Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)
Under special circumstances, you might need to move a database and users to a different server.
The following procedure refers to Interplay Engine servers that are not configured as failover clusters. For cluster systems, see “Moving a Database and Users to Another Server
(Clustered Systems)” on page 76.
c
c
Avid recommends that you have telephone support from Avid during the process in case complications arise.
If you move a database to a server that points to a different CCS, all the old CCS information that was stored, including users, user settings, and local administration settings for the database, will be lost because you will have to migrate the database (see
“Migrating a Database” on page 67). If you move a database to another server and also
move the CCS, however, this information is preserved. To move both a database and a CCS, use this procedure. For more information about a CCS, see “Understanding the
Central Configuration Server” on page 91.
71
2 Database Settings
To move a database and users to another server (non-clustered systems):
1. Install the Interplay Engine on a new server (the target server).
Make sure the configuration is the same on both systems. For example, if you are moving an AvidWG database, create an AvidWG database on the new server. If the original system uses a split database, the new system should also use a split database (see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on page 199).
2. On the source server, lock the database by using the Lock/Unlock Database view (see
“Locking and Unlocking Databases” on page 62).
3. Deactivate the database by using the Manage Databases view (see “Deactivating a
Database” on page 63).
4. Make sure the database is unloaded from the server by opening the Restart Server view and clicking Restart.
5. Lock the server using the Lock Server view (see “Locking and Unlocking the Server” on
page 84).
6. Locate the database folder on the source server.
The default path is \\server_name\WG_Database$\AvidWG (or AvidAM for an Archive Manager). By default, the administrative share WG_Database$ refers to D:\Workgroup_Databases. For more information, see “Identifying the Root Folder of
the Interplay Server Database” on page 210.
72
7. Pack the database folder into a zip file or use Robocopy from the Microsoft Windows Resource Kit for path names longer than 256 characters.
To save time and storage, you do not need to copy all the backups in the D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup folder. One complete backup and the most recent Fast backup are sufficient.
If you are moving a split database, create two zip files, one for D:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG and the other for \\server_name\\workspace_name\\AvidWG.
8. Locate the user folder _InternalData on the source server.
The default path is D:\Workgroup_Databases\_InternalData.
9. Copy the zipped file or files and the _InternalData folder to a network server, removable media, laptop, or directly to the target server.
10. Open the Interplay Administrator, log in to the target server, and deactivate the database (AvidWG or AvidAM) using the Manage Databases View.
11. On the target server, rename the existing database folder, for example, rename AvidWG to AvidWG_old.
12. Make sure all databases are unloaded from the server by opening the Restart Server view and clicking Restart.

Moving a Database to Another Server (Clustered Systems)

13. Lock the server by using the Lock Server view (see “Locking and Unlocking the Server”
on page 84).
14. Rename the existing _InternalData folder to _InternalData_old.
15. If you are copying a non-split database, copy the zipped file to the target server and unzip the file to the Workgroup_Databases folder. Copy the _InternalData folder to the Workgroup_Databases folder. Make sure the path on the target server matches the path on the source server.
If you are copying a split database, copy and unzip both zipped files to the correct locations. Then edit the FolderLocations.xml file to show the correct paths. See
“Splitting a Database for Existing Interplay Installations” on page 205. Copy the
_InternalData folder to the Workgroup_Databases folder.
16. Unlock the server using the Lock Server view.
17. Verify that all users are on the system by opening the User Management view and viewing the lists of user groups.
18. Activate the database by using the Manage Databases view (see “Activating a
Deactivated Database” on page 64).
19. On an Interplay Access client, log in to the new server and verify that all data is available.
If all data is available, the new database is ready for use.
If necessary, remove the old database from Interplay Access by right-clicking the database name and then clicking Remove Databases.
20. (Option) On the source server, rename the original database folder to avoid unwanted future access.
Moving a Database to Another Server (Clustered Systems)
Under special circumstances, you might need to move a database to a different server.
The following procedure refers to Interplay Engine servers that are configured as failover clusters. For non-clustered systems, see “Moving a Database to Another Server
(Non-Clustered Systems)” on page 69.
c
Avid recommends that you have telephone support from Avid during the process in case complications arise.
73
2 Database Settings
c
If you move a database to a server that points to a different CCS, all the old CCS information that was stored, including users, user settings, and local administration settings for the database, will be lost because you will have to migrate the database (see
“Migrating a Database” on page 67). If you move a database to another server and also
move the CCS, however, this information is preserved. To move both a database and a CCS, see “Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Clustered Systems)” on
page 76.
To move a database to another server (clustered systems):
1. Install the Interplay Engine on a new server (the target server).
Make sure the configuration is the same on both systems. For example, if you are moving an AvidWG database, create an AvidWG database on the new server. If the original system uses a split database, the new system should also use a split database (see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on page 199).
2. On the source server, lock the database by using the Lock/Unlock Database view (see
“Locking and Unlocking Databases” on page 62).
All clients are disconnected from the source server.
3. Deactivate the database using the Manage Databases view (see “Deactivating a
Database” on page 63).
4. Make sure the database is unloaded by using the Cluster Administrator on one of the cluster nodes:
74
c
n
a. Select Programs > Administrative Tools > Cluster Administrator.
b. Open the Avid Workgroup Server resource group.
c. In the list of resources, select Avid Workgroup Server and change the state to
“Offline.”
Make sure that you change the state to offline for the Avid Workgroup Server resource only, not the entire Avid Workgroup Server group.
d. Close the Cluster Administrator.
5. Locate the database folder on the active node of the source server.
The default path is \\virtual_cluster_name\WG_Database$\AvidWG (or AvidAM for an Archive Manager). By default, the administrative share WG_Database$ refers to S:\Workgroup_Databases. For more information, see “Identifying the Root Folder of the
Interplay Server Database” on page 210.
If the S drive is not available on the machine, either this is the offline node or the entire Avid Workgroup Server group was taken offline instead of only the resource.
Moving a Database to Another Server (Clustered Systems)
6. Pack the database folder into a zip file or use Robocopy from the Microsoft Windows Resource Kit for path names longer than 256 characters.
To save time and storage, you do not need to copy all the backups in the S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup folder. One complete backup and the most recent Fast backup are sufficient.
If you are moving a split database, create two zip files, one for S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG and the other for \\server_name\\workspace_name\\AvidWG.
7. Copy the zipped file or files to a network server, removable media, a laptop, or directly to the target server.
8. Open the Interplay Administrator, log on to the target server, and deactivate the database (AvidWG or AvidAM) using the Manage Databases View.
9. On the target server, rename the existing database folder, for example, rename AvidWG to AvidWG_old.
10. If you are copying a non-split database, copy the zipped file to the target server and unzip the file to the Workgroup_Databases folder. Make sure the path on the target server matches the path on the source server.
If you are copying a split database, copy and unzip both zipped files to the correct locations. Then edit the FolderLocations.xml file to show the correct paths. See
“Splitting a Database for Existing Interplay Installations” on page 205.
11. Activate the database by using the Manage Databases view (see “Activating a
Deactivated Database” on page 64).
12. On an Interplay Access client, log in to the new server and verify that all data is available.
If all data is available, the new database is ready for use.
If necessary, remove the old database from Interplay Access by right-clicking the database name and then clicking Remove Databases.
13. (Option) On the source server, rename the original database folder to avoid unwanted future access.
Use the Cluster Administrator to bring the source server back online. Right-click the Avid Workgroup Server group (not the resource) and select Bring Online.
75
2 Database Settings

Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Clustered Systems)

Under special circumstances, you might need to move a database and users to a different server.
The following procedure refers to Interplay Engine servers that are configured as failover clusters. For non-clustered systems, see “Moving a Database and Users to Another Server
(Non-Clustered Systems)” on page 71.
c
c
Avid recommends that you have telephone support from Avid during the process in case complications arise.
If you move a database to a server that points to a different CCS, all the old CCS information that was stored, including users, user settings, and local administration settings for the database, will be lost because you will have to migrate the database (see
“Migrating a Database” on page 67). If you move a database to another server and also
move the CCS, however, this information is preserved. To move both a database and a CCS, use this procedure. For more information about a CCS, see “Understanding the
Central Configuration Server” on page 91.
To move a database and users to another server (clustered systems):
1. Install the Interplay Engine on a new server (the target server).
Make sure the configuration is the same on both systems. For example, if you are moving an AvidWG database, create an AvidWG database on the new server. If the original system uses a split database, the new system should also use a split database (see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on page 199).
2. On the source server, lock the database by using the Lock/Unlock Database view (see
“Locking and Unlocking Databases” on page 62).
All clients are disconnected from the source server.
3. Deactivate the database using the Manage Databases view (see “Deactivating a
Database” on page 63).
76
4. Lock the server using the Lock Server view (see “Locking and Unlocking the Server” on
page 84).
Moving a Database and Users to Another Server (Clustered Systems)
5. Make sure the database is unloaded by using the Cluster Administrator on one of the cluster nodes:
a. Select Programs > Administrative Tools > Cluster Administrator.
b. Open the Avid Workgroup Server resource group.
c. In the list of resources, select Avid Workgroup Server and change the state to
“Offline.”
c
n
Make sure that you change the state to offline for the Avid Workgroup Server resource only, not the entire Avid Workgroup Server group.
d. Close the Cluster Administrator.
6. Locate the database folder on the source server.
The default path is \\virtual_cluster_name\WG_Database$\AvidWG (or AvidAM for an Archive Manager). By default, the administrative share WG_Database$ refers to S:\Workgroup_Databases. For more information, see “Identifying the Root Folder of the
Interplay Server Database” on page 210.
If the S drive is not available on the machine, either this is the offline node or the entire Avid Workgroup Server group was taken offline instead of only the resource.
7. Pack the database folder into a zip file or use Robocopy from the Microsoft Windows Resource Kit for path names longer than 256 characters.
To save time and storage, you do not need to copy all the backups in the S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG\_Backup folder. One complete backup and the most recent Fast backup are sufficient.
If you are moving a split database, create two zip files, one for S:\Workgroup_Databases\AvidWG and the other for \\server_name\\workspace_name\\AvidWG.
8. Locate the user folder _InternalData on the source server.
The default path is S:\Workgroup_Databases\_InternalData.
9. Copy the zipped file and the _InternalData folder to a network server, removable media, laptop, or directly to the target server.
10. On the target server, rename the existing database folder, for example, rename AvidWG to AvidWG_old.
11. Open the Interplay Administrator, log on to the target server, and deactivate the database (AvidWG or AvidAM) using the Manage Databases View.
12. Lock the server using the Lock Server view (see “Locking and Unlocking the Server” on
page 84).
77
2 Database Settings
13. Rename the existing _InternalData folder to _InternalData_old.
14. If you are copying a non-split database, copy the zipped file to the target server and unzip the file to the Workgroup_Databases folder. Copy the _InternalData folder to the Workgroup_Databases folder. Make sure the path on the target server matches the path on the source server.
If you are copying a split database, copy and unzip both zipped files to the correct locations. Then edit the FolderLocations.xml file to show the correct paths. See
“Splitting a Database for Existing Interplay Installations” on page 205. Copy the
_InternalData folder to the Workgroup_Databases folder.
15. Unlock the server using the Lock Server view.
16. Verify that all users are on the system by opening the User Management view and viewing the lists of user groups.
17. Activate the database by using the Manage Databases view (see “Activating a
Deactivated Database” on page 64).
18. On an Interplay Access client, log in to the new server and verify that all data is available.
If all data is available, the new database is ready for use.
If necessary, remove the old database from Interplay Access by right-clicking the database name and then clicking Remove Databases.
19. (Option) On the source server, rename the original database folder to avoid unwanted future access.
Use the Cluster Administrator to bring the source server back online. Right-click the Avid Workgroup Server group (not the resource) and select Bring Online.

Moving a Database Under Low Disk Space Conditions

If disk space on the server is critically low, the Interplay Engine refuses client connections and displays an error message. In this situation, the administrator cannot log in and shut down the server, and move a database by normal means (as described in “Moving a Database
to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)” on page 69 and “Moving a Database and Users
78

Renaming a Database

to Another Server (Non-Clustered Systems)” on page 71). In the Server installation
directory (by default, C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Interplay Engine\Server), there are tools provided to solve such problems:
NxNServerLock.exe
NxNServerUnlock.exe
NxNServerShutdown.exe
c
Before beginning this procedure, be sure to make a backup of the database. See
“Creating and Restoring Database Backups” on page 36 for information on running a
backup. Temporarily change the Backup time field to “Once at” and enter or select from the list the time in the future closest to the current time.
To move a database under low disk space conditions:
1. Lock the server using NxNServerLock.exe.
2. Shut down the server using NxNServerShutdown.exe, if necessary.
3. Move the database folder (AvidWG or AvidAM) to another drive or free up some disk space.
4. Unlock the server by doing one of the following:
t Use the Interplay Administrator’s Lock Server view (see “Locking and Unlocking
the Server” on page 84).
t Use NxNServerUnlock.exe.
5. Deactivate the moved database using the Manage Databases view (see “Deactivating a
Database” on page 63).
6. Activate the moved database in the correct location using the Manage Databases view (see “Activating a Deactivated Database” on page 64).
Renaming a Database
c
Under some circumstances you might need to rename a database For example, if you need to create a new database with the same name, you can rename the original database. You can keep the original database as an archive for searching.
Before beginning this procedure, be sure to make a backup of the database. See
“Creating and Restoring Database Backups” on page 36 for information on running a
backup. Temporarily change the Backup time field to “Once at” and enter or select from the list the time in the future closest to the current time.
79
2 Database Settings
To rename a database:
1. In the Database section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Manage Databases icon.
The Manage Databases view opens.
2. Select the database and click the Deactivate Database button to ensure that the database is not in use.
3. On the server or at the database location, use the Windows desktop to rename the database folder, .pro file, and .nif directory, and all files within the _Database folder, that is, replace the old <DatabaseName> with the new name for all files fitting the following mask:
<DatabaseName>\<DatabaseName>.pro
<DatabaseName>\<DatabaseName>.nif
<DatabaseName>\<DatabaseName>\_*.pro.jrn
<DatabaseName>\_Database\<DatabaseName>.*
<DatabaseName>\_Database\<DatabaseName>_*.jrn
Do not forget to rename the .jrn files correctly: make sure there are no typos in the database name, and that they are followed by the underscore and the numeric ID.
4. In the Interplay Administrator, click the Manage Databases icon and activate the database (see “Activating a Deactivated Database” on page 64).
80

3 Server Settings

The Server settings enable you to configure and change server settings and shutdown and restart the server. The following topics describe how to use these settings:
Changing the Database and Data Locations
Viewing Server Information
Locking and Unlocking the Server
Restarting the Server
Managing Licenses

Changing the Database and Data Locations

The Server Settings view lets you change the default locations for a new database.
c
n
Do not change the location for the metadata database. The metadata database must be stored directly on the local Interplay Engine server because permanent access to these files is required. This is the only supported setup. You have the option of storing the source files for file assets on an Avid shared-storage workspace. This configuration is known as a split database.
Changing the root folder for file assets is part of the process of creating a split database. For more information and instructions, see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on
page 199.
The root folder for a new database is set during the installation of the Interplay Engine software. By default, the installation program creates a shared folder that functions as the root folder for both the metadata database and the source files for file assets (the file repository). The default location is the D:\Workgroup_Databases folder, which is represented by the administrative share name WG_Database$. The $ indicates a hidden share.
To identify the actual folder, open a Command Prompt window and type
If you need to create a new database, changing these settings does not affect any existing databases.
net share
.
3 Server Settings
To change the root folders for a new database:
1. In the Server section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Server Settings icon.
The Server Settings view opens.
2. For the root folder of the database (metadata), keep the folder that was set during the installation of the server (the default is \\IEServer\WG_Database$\).
3. For the root folder of the data (file assets), change the folder to a workspace on Avid shared storage (see “Configuring Interplay for a Split Database” on page 199). Type a UNC path or browse through the Avid Unity Network or Avid ISIS Network to the workspace.
You might need to provide proper credentials to browse and access the shared storage workspaces.
4. Click Apply Changes to change the setting for new databases.
5. If you changed the root folder for the file assets, complete the tasks described in
“Splitting a Database for New Interplay Installations” on page 203 or “Splitting a Database for Existing Interplay Installations” on page 205.

Viewing Server Information

The Server Information view has two areas:
The Server Information area displays information about the following:
- The version of the Avid Interplay Engine software
- The number of connected clients (through Interplay Access and other client
applications)
- The number of databases on the server
82
Viewing Server Information
The Connected User Information area displays information about the following:
- Which database users are connected to
- Which user is connected to which database
- Which machine the user is connected from
- What time a user has been connected since
The type of licenses in use (see “License Types and Usage” on page 89)
To view information about the Interplay Engine server:
t In the Server section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Server
Information icon.
The Server Information view opens.
83
3 Server Settings

Locking and Unlocking the Server

The Lock Server view allows the administrator to lock the Interplay Engine server for a specific period of time by shutting down the server process. Locking the server is useful when carrying out tasks such as:
Server maintenance or upgrading the server software.
Maintaining or rebooting the Avid shared-storage server (File Manager or System Director). Whenever a database or data location is unavailable, you should lock the database or the server.
If the database becomes corrupt, the server might be locked automatically.
When the server is locked, all the clients that are connected to it are disconnected, the database is saved, and the server process is shut down so that no data is lost. While the server remains locked, users are unable to connect to the database that is stored on that server.
If possible, use the database lock instead of the server lock. Use the server lock if you want
n
to do maintenance on the server machine itself or the shared storage system. Use the database lock if you need to do maintenance on a database or its related files (for example, moving a database to another server). Using the database lock provides more security and is also preferable since it avoids making the entire server inaccessible. See “Locking and
Unlocking Databases” on page 62.
84
To lock the server:
1. In the Server section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Lock Server icon.
The Lock Server view opens.

Restarting the Server

2. Select one of the following for the locking duration:
- Indefinitely: An indefinite shutdown. This is a good choice when shutting down the server to carry out any vital maintenance, for example replacing hard drives, or making the first backup of a new database. The server needs to be manually unlocked after maintenance work.
- Minutes: Allows you to stipulate when to restart the server (short time frame). It is useful when you are making routine backups and you know how much time you need. Specify the time period by clicking the Up and Down arrows.
- Lock until: Allows you to stipulate when to restart the server (longer time frame). Specify the time period by clicking the Up and Down arrows.
3. In the Lock Details text box, type a comment as to why you are locking the server. This comment is displayed when clients try to connect to the server.
4. Click Lock Server.
The Lock Server view changes to display lock information. You cannot return to the Interplay Administrator window by clicking the Menu button. You can log out of the Interplay Administrator tool and then log in again.
To manually unlock the server:
1. If necessary, log in to the Interplay Administrator.
The Lock Server view opens.
2. Click Unlock Server.
The Server Login window opens.
3. Log in to the Interplay Administrator.
Restarting the Server
Restarting the server disconnects any clients and shuts down the database before the server process is restarted. You rarely need to restart the server. Typically, you restart the server if you want to disconnect all clients and want to make sure no one is connected to the server so that you can perform maintenance. For example, you might restart the server and then lock the database as part of the process of moving the database.
Restarting only restarts the server process and not the server machine itself.
c
Depending on the size of the database, this process can take several minutes. Do not attempt to reboot the server under any circumstances before this process is completed.
85
3 Server Settings
To restart the server process:
1. In the Server section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Restart Server icon.
The Restart Server view opens.
2. Click Restart.

Managing Licenses

Avid Interplay needs a valid license in order to function. A license consists of a hardware ID and a license key. The hardware ID is associated with the physical application key, or dongle. The license key is created by a license file and includes information about the license types for individual applications.
86
The Licenses view has two areas:
The License Types area displays information about the following:
- Your current license types (see “License Types and Usage” on page 89).
- Number of license types available.
- License types used.
- Time limit (days): the total days included in the license. If you have more than one
license loaded that includes the same license type, only one time limit is stored for each type.
- Days remaining: the number of days until expiration. If you have more than one
license loaded that includes the same license type, only one value for the days remaining is stored for each type.
The Server Information area displays information about the following:
- Customer ID. The customer name or ID number.
- The permitted number of databases.
Managing Licenses
- Hardware ID, obtained from the physical application key (dongle). The Hardware ID is required to obtain technical support.
- License mode: All Interplay licenses are nodelocked.
- Lock timeout: The lock timeout is the time the server freezes a license on the server before it is freed for use by another user or machine. All Interplay licenses use a setting of 0 hours, 0 minutes, and 0 seconds.
To view information about your licenses:
t In the Server section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Licenses icon.
The Licenses view opens.
For information about importing a license file, see “Installing a Permanent License” on
page 88. For information about exporting a license file, see “Exporting a License” on page 89.
87
3 Server Settings

Installing a Permanent License

During Interplay Engine installation a temporary license for one user is activated automatically so that you can administer and install the system. There is no time limit for this license. A permanent license is provided by Avid in the form of a file (*.nxn) on a CD-ROM.
If you purchase additional licenses, the licenses are additive. For example, one license key with 2 Access and 2 Assist users and an additional license key with 2 Access and 3 Assist users yields a total of 4 Access and 5 Assist clients.
To install a permanent license on a non-clustered system:
1. Start and log in to the Interplay Administrator.
2. Insert the Avid Interplay Licenses CD-ROM into a CD drive.
3. In the Server section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Licenses icon.
4. Click the Import license button.
5. Browse for the .nxn file on the CD-ROM.
6. Select the file and click Open.
You should see information about the permanent license in the License Types area.
88
To install a permanent license on a clustered system:
1. Start the first node.
2. Insert the Avid Interplay Licenses CD-ROM into a CD drive.
3. Start and log in to the Interplay Administrator.
4. In the Server section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Licenses icon.
5. Click the Import license button.
6. Browse for the .nxn file on the CD-ROM.
7. Select the file and click Open.
You should see information about the permanent license in the License Types area.
8. Close the Interplay Administrator.
9. Force a failover of the cluster, so that the second node is now active.
10. Repeat steps 3 through 8 on the second node.

License Types and Usage

The following table describes the license types displayed in the Licenses view. Each license type is associated with a particular license key.
License Types Used for Avid Applications
Key Product
KEY_X Interplay Access
KEY_XL Interplay Assist
KEY_XE Avid Editing Applications
KEY_XI Avid Instinct
KEY_AM Interplay Archive Engine
KEY_XP Digidesign
If you have an editing application running, then no additional license is needed to run Access at the same time. For example, if an Avid editing application has been started, KEY-XE also covers Interplay Access on the same machine. If the editing application is started after Interplay Access is started, KEY-X is released and KEY-XE is used instead. The same behavior applies to licenses for Interplay Assist, Avid Instinct, and Digidesign Pro Tools Integration.
Pro Tools®Integration
Managing Licenses
When you close an application, its license is released and can be used by another client.

Exporting a License

You might need to export your license information for support purposes.
Export functionality is intended for Avid support purposes. You might not be able to reimport
n
an exported license.
To export your license to a file:
1. Click the Export license button in the Licenses view.
2. Type or browse to a .nxn file name.
3. Select Save.
89
3 Server Settings

Troubleshooting Licensing Problems

If you previously attached one application key (dongle) and loaded the registration file for that dongle, and then attach a different dongle and try to load a new registration file, the registration file will not load. You need to delete the Windows registry key for the dongle.
To delete the registry key for a dongle:
1. Click Start, then click Run.
2. In the Open text box, type
regedit
The Registry Editor view opens.
3. Locate the registry key for the original dongle, found here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Avid Technology\Workgroup\Avid Workgroup Server\FeatureKeys\Permanent
4. Delete the Permanent folder.
5. Close the Registry Editor window.
6. Reload the new registration file as described in “Installing a Permanent License” on
page 88.

Using the License Key Info Tool

You can use the LicenseKeyInfo tool to display and print out the license information for an Interplay Engine or Interplay Archive Engine. This tool is primarily a support tool. It is useful when you have only a license file available (and not a server), or you want to know the enabled features of a license without installing it.
To examine the license key information for an Interplay Engine:
1. Navigate to the following folder:
C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid Interplay Engine\Server
and click OK.
90
2. Double-click LicenseKeyInfo.exe
The Interplay License Info dialog box opens.
3. Click Get License Info.
4. Select the License file and click OK.
The system displays the license info.
5. (Option) Click Save License Info or Print License Info and follow the on-screen instructions.

4 User Management

An administrator controls access to Avid Interplay through user accounts and user roles. The following topics provide information about how to manage user accounts and access to the database:
Understanding the Central Configuration Server
Adding Users to a Central Configuration Server
Setting User Authentication Providers and Importing Users
Managing Users, User Groups, and User Rights
Managing Database Roles
Guidelines for User Management
For specific examples of how to manage user roles, see “Setting Up a Folder Structure and a User Database” in the Avid Interplay Best Practices.

Understanding the Central Configuration Server

The Central Configuration Server (CCS) is an Interplay Engine with a special module that is useful if you are working in an environment that includes more than one Interplay Engine (including an Interplay Archive Engine). The CCS uses this module to store information that is common to all other Interplay Engines. Cross-database management of administrative tasks is possible because all of the Interplay Engines under the CCS inherit its settings by default. A Central Configuration Server is especially useful for user management tasks.
You set a CCS whenever you install an Interplay Engine. At that time, you can set the CCS as the server on which you are installing, or you can specify a previously installed Interplay Engine, including an Interplay Archive Engine. The Interplay Engine acts as the CCS as soon as it is started after the installation. Each Interplay Engine must be associated with a CCS. An Interplay Engine can be its own CCS.
4 User Management
Depending on the number of Interplay Engines that are installed, several CCS configurations are possible:
One Interplay Engine: Configure this server as the CCS.
Several Interplay Engines: Usually you configure only one Interplay Engine as the CCS. The use of more than one CCS in a company might be useful if there are several independent domains, departments, or sites where there is no need to share users or other settings in Avid Interplay. In the case where several sites are located in different locations, having one CCS for each site could be practical.
If necessary, you can use the Central Configuration Server view to change the CCS that you set during the Interplay Engine installation.
c
Do not reset the CCS unless there is real need to do so, such as a space issue. All the information that was stored on the old CCS, including users and local administration settings, is lost when the CCS is changed to another server unless you first move the _InternalData folder to the server that will be used as the new CCS. If you do not or cannot move the _InternalData folder to the new CCS, and you set the new CCS for the database, you must migrate the database through the Manage Databases view. In this case, all previous CCS-related information will be lost.
The following procedures describe how to change the CCS:
“Moving the CCS to Another Server” on page 92
“Viewing and Changing the CCS for a Server” on page 93.
Specifying an incorrect CCS can prevent login. See “Troubleshooting Login Problems” on
page 191.

Moving the CCS to Another Server

c
Before beginning the following procedure, be sure to make a backup of the database. See “Creating and Restoring Database Backups” on page 36 for information on running a backup. You can use the Start Backup Now feature to start a backup immediately.
The following procedure is based on these assumptions:
92
Server A is the CCS.
You want to keep the CCS settings and user information that exist on server A, but move them to server B.
You do not want to keep the original CCS information that exists server B.
Understanding the Central Configuration Server
c
Server B should be created by a clean installation and should serve as its own CCS. No other database should point to Server B as a CCS, because any existing user data on Server B will be lost.
To move a CCS to another server:
1. Back up the database. See “Creating and Restoring Database Backups” on page 36.
2. Make sure that the Interplay Engine on both servers is the same version. See “Viewing
Server Information” on page 82.
3. Start Interplay Administrator and log in to server A (which is the current CCS).
4. Lock server A. See “Locking and Unlocking the Server” on page 84.
5. In Interplay Administrator, log out of server A.
6. Log in to server B.
7. Lock server B.
8. Log out of server B.
9. Use Windows Explorer to delete the _InternalData folder on server B.
The folder is located by default in \\IEServer\WG_Database$ (usually D:\Workgroup_Databases\). See “Identifying the Root Folder of the Interplay Server
Database” on page 210.
10. Copy the _InternalData folder from server A to the default database location of server B.
11. In Interplay Administrator, log in to server A, unlock the server, and log out.
12. Log in to server B and unlock the server.
13. Make sure the CCS for server B is set as server B itself. If necessary, complete “Viewing
and Changing the CCS for a Server” on page 93.
14. Log out of server B.
15. On server A, change the CCS for server A to server B using “Viewing and Changing the
CCS for a Server” on page 93.

Viewing and Changing the CCS for a Server

c
Before beginning the following procedure, be sure to make a backup of the database. See “Creating and Restoring Database Backups” on page 36 for information on running a backup. You can use the Start Backup Now feature to start a backup immediately.
93
4 User Management
The following procedure is based on these assumptions:
Server A is the CCS.
You want server B to be the CCS for server A. You want to use the settings and user information that exists on server B.
You do not want to keep the CCS information that exists on server A.
To change the CCS for a server:
1. Back up the database. See “Creating and Restoring Database Backups” on page 36.
2. Make sure that server A and server B are the same version, otherwise the CCS does not reset. See “Viewing Server Information” on page 82.
3. Start the Interplay Administrator on server A, and log in to Server A.
4. In the User Management section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the Central Configuration Server icon.
The Central Configuration Server view opens.
94
5. Use the arrow in the Central Configuration Server list to select server B to use as the CCS.
A warning appears explaining the consequences if you have not followed the procedure
“Moving the CCS to Another Server” on page 92 and moved the _InternalData folder to
server B.
Moving the _InternalData folder is usually recommended. If you do not, all users and local administration settings are lost.
6. Do one of the following:
t To keep the original CCS, click Cancel.
Understanding the Central Configuration Server
t To change to a new CCS, click Change CCS.
7. If you have not moved the original CCS server (see “Moving the CCS to Another
Server” on page 92), you need to migrate the database to the new CCS and all of your
CCS-related data (such as users and local administration) are lost. Unmigrated databases should not be used; databases should always be migrated to a CCS. Unmigrated databases cannot be administered. For more information, see “Migrating a
Database” on page 67.
95
4 User Management

Adding Users to a Central Configuration Server

There are several ways to add users to a Central Configuration Server:
Automatically adding Avid Unity (shared-storage) users. These users are added to the CCS the first time they log in. They log in using their Avid Unity username and password. For more information, see “Setting Avid Unity Authentication” on page 98.
Importing users from a Windows domain or LDAP directory. You need to use the User Authentication Providers view to import these users. They log in using their Windows or LDAP username and password. For more information, see “Setting Windows Domain
Authentication and Importing Users” on page 99 and “Setting LDAP Authentication and Importing Users” on page 101.
Individually creating users. You need to use the User Management view to create individual users. They log in using the username and password that you set. For more information, see “Adding Users Manually” on page 109.

Setting User Authentication Providers and Importing Users

96
The User Authentication Providers view lets you set the type of authentication users need to provide when logging in to Avid Interplay. You can select one or more of the following authentication providers:
Avid Unity
Windows Domain
•LDAP
Selecting these providers lets users log in without requiring them to use an additional username and password for Avid Interplay. You still have the option of creating individual users specifically for Avid Interplay (see “Adding Users Manually” on page 109).
The User Authentication Providers view lets you import users from a Windows domain or LDAP server. You do not need to explicitly import Avid Unity users; they are imported at the time they log in.
Information from this view is saved in the CCS (see “Understanding the Central
Configuration Server” on page 91).
Setting User Authentication Providers and Importing Users
All special characters are allowed in user names except for \ (backslash), / (forward slash),
n
| (vertical bar), and quotes (" and '). When LDAP and Windows Domain users are imported, these characters are replaced with “_”. If two users have different user names that are mapped to the same converted name (for example, dann/o and dann\o become dann_o), only one converted user name is imported. These users currently cannot be authorized through LDAP or Windows Domain; they can only be imported.
The users are added to the Imported Users folder in the User Management page, under the respective subfolder for LDAP, Microsoft, or Avid Unity. Users are also added to the Everyone folder. The following illustration shows these subfolders with the LDAP folder selected.
97
4 User Management
These types of user authentication and how users are imported are described in the following topics:
“Setting Avid Unity Authentication” on page 98
“Setting Windows Domain Authentication and Importing Users” on page 99
“Setting LDAP Authentication and Importing Users” on page 101
“LDAP Server Configuration Settings” on page 103

Setting Avid Unity Authentication

If you select the Unity Authentication option, a user can log in to the Avid Interplay database using a valid Avid Unity password. The authentication mechanism always checks this User Authentication Provider first.
98
Setting User Authentication Providers and Importing Users
This method of authorization is implicit. In other words, there is no active import of users at the time the Avid Unity authentication is enabled. Instead, the first time that an Avid Unity a user logs in to Avid Interplay, the user is added to the UNITY user group subfolder. By default, this user group has Read rights.
To enable Avid Unity authentication:
1. In the User Management section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the User Authentication Providers icon.
The User Authentication Providers view opens.
2. Click Avid Unity Authentication.
3. Type the Avid Unity server name with which the CCS should cross-check for authentication.
In an Avid Unity MediaNetwork environment, type the name of the File Manager. In an Avid ISIS environment, type the name of the System Director.
4. Click Apply.
When an Avid Unity user logs into Interplay, the user is added to the CCS as part of the UNITY user group under Imported Users, with Read rights by default.
To reassign an Avid Unity user’s Interplay rights:
t Move the user to a different user group later if you want to give the user a different role.
For more information, see “Managing Database Roles” on page 116.

Setting Windows Domain Authentication and Importing Users

If you activate Windows Domain authentication, a user is able to log in to an Avid Interplay database with a Windows domain user name and password. Any time a user tries to access an Avid Interplay database, the CCS (Central Configuration Server) can use the Windows login information to authenticate the user and in turn to check which databases the user can access.
To use this feature, the Interplay Engine Server Execution User must be a member of the domain from which you import users and against which you want to authenticate users. If the user is logged in to a supported Windows machine, and logged into the same domain as the Interplay Engine, the user can log in using the domain user name and password.
An administrator needs to assign suitable roles to the imported users before they can access the database. By default, imported users do not have access rights to the database, which will cause a login to fail even if a user is properly authenticated by the domain. In this case, the following error message is displayed:
99
4 User Management
Note also that for Interplay to import users from an Active Directory, these users must be placed in groups. Interplay does not support importing of single users. To facilitate administration, Avid recommends that you align the Interplay group structure with the Active Directory group structure.
Some large organizations might use a hierarchical domain structure called a “forest root
n
domain.” For example, an organization with a domain named “company.com” might choose to place its Interplay production system in a sub-domain named “avid.company.com.” In Windows, users from different parts of this organization can be managed in groups (for example, a “Universal Group”) and can be authenticated across the entire forest. Interplay domain authentication does not support this structure. If you select a domain for authentication, users from other forest domains will be stripped from the group during the import process.
To enable Windows domain authentication:
100
1. In the User Management section of the Interplay Administrator window, click the User Authentication Providers icon.
The User Authentication Providers view opens.
2. Select the Windows Domain Authentication option.
3. Click Import Windows Domain Users.
The Import User Groups dialog box opens.
4. Do one of the following:
t Select the user groups you want to import into the Avid Interplay system.
t Click Select All to import all the user groups into the Avid Interplay system.
5. Click OK.
Depending on the size and complexity of the import, the import operation might prevent
n
users from logging on, browsing, checking in, or doing on work on the server
Loading...