Chapter 1
1. What XenData for Iconik is
XenData for Iconik is a Windows desktop application. It runs on the XenData server. It connects Iconik, a cloud media asset management service, to a XenData tape archive on your network. Users select assets in Iconik and choose Archive or Restore. XenData for Iconik does the work in XenData and keeps Iconik up to date.
1.1 How a request travels
| Step | System | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iconik | A user runs the archive or restore custom action on assets, a collection, or a saved search |
| 2 | Amazon Web Services (AWS) | A small cloud function puts the request on a Simple Queue Service (SQS) queue |
| 3 | XenData for Iconik | The application collects the request from the queue |
| 4 | XenData for Iconik | It checks each asset and decides whether the asset needs work |
| 5 | XenData | It sends the qualifying assets to XenData |
| 6 | Iconik | It reports job progress and the final result in Iconik Jobs |
The queue holds requests while XenData for Iconik is not running. The application collects them when it starts again. A queue keeps requests only for a limited time. See Timing and limits.
1.2 What it does
- Archives the original file of an asset from your Iconik storage on disk to XenData tape.
- Restores an archived asset from tape back to that disk storage.
- Skips assets that do not need the requested work, and records the reason.
- Creates a job in Iconik for each request, with one sub-job for each asset.
- Writes archive details to the asset's metadata in Iconik, such as the tape ID.
- Keeps the folder structure of each file on tape. See Archive paths on tape.
1.3 What it does not do
- It does not archive proxies or other formats. It archives the original format only.
- It does not change XenData file groups or tape settings.
- It does not start archives on a schedule. Each job starts from an Iconik action.
- It does not cancel a job that XenData has already accepted.
1.4 Keep the application running
XenData for Iconik does its work only while it runs. Closing the window with the X button hides it to the Windows notification area. The application continues to work there.
To quit, use File > Exit, or right-click the tray icon and select Quit. Do not quit while jobs are in progress. See Jobs in progress when the application stops.
Only one copy runs at a time. If you start it again, Windows shows the window that is already open.
1.5 Who does what
| Person | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Media user | Runs Archive and Restore in Iconik and follows jobs in Iconik |
| Operator | Installs XenData for Iconik, enters settings, checks the Status tab, and collects logs |
| Iconik administrator | Creates the custom actions, storages, and application token |
| XenData administrator | Provides the server address, port, and file group, and allows network access |
| North Shore Automation | Provides the cloud queue, its access keys, and support |