Distribution Service

The Distribution Service handles copying data from depot to depot within distribution in the DSM environment.
For this reason, the Distribution Service is installed as management application on a Management Point (or on several Management Points).

For each object in the configuration table you can specify separately which Distribution Service is responsible for the distribution between specific site structure objects (see below: Associated Distribution Service).

User Account for the Distribution Service

By default, the Distribution Service itself runs with the system account. For the required network access, it uses the user account defined in the respective site.
The user account is required for both reading and writing access in the site. The Distribution Service automatically connects as the defined user to the corresponding depots, the connection is terminated when the reading or writing procedure is over.

For reading and writing access, the Distribution Service uses the account from the site in which the corresponding depot is defined as the site depot.

Example:
Let us consider the distribution step on the master depot of a region. The region is in the site structure directly below the ORG; the Distribution Service provides distribution from the ORG master to the region master.

  • The Distribution Service reads from the central depot. To access the depot, it uses the account of the site in which the central depot is also the site depot.
  • The Distribution Service writes onto the region master. It uses the account of the site in which the region master is also the site master.

The account requires read/write access to the source and target of distribution – including the right to delete files. Write access to the source is necessary so that the Distribution Service can write the appropriate lock file (SRC.LCK).

Associated Distribution Service

To allow the data to be distributed on the associated master depot of a site object or on the local depots in the site, these objects must be assi­gned a Distribution Service which then becomes the associated Distribution Service for the object.

The associated Distribution Service for a region or a site provides the distribution on the depot that "is behind it":

  • Region - on the region master depot
  • Site – on the site master depot and all local depots in this site.

The ORG itself cannot be the target of distribution. However, the indication on the level of the ORG can be inherited by descendant objects; it is also used as a default for new objects in the site structure.

When you install Ivanti DSM, the first Distribution Service is responsible for all objects that you initially create and, by inheritance, for allothers if you create other sites later. However, you usually will set up an independent Distribution Service for each additional site.

Context of the Distribution Service in the Site Structure

In contrast to the other objects in the site structure, the context of the Distribution Service in the site structure does not influence which distribution steps execute this service. Only the setting see above Associated Distribution Service is responsible for assigning functions.

However, the context of the Distribution Service object determines who may administer this service (administrative access).