How to setup and configure the Data Recorder in Data Recorder Mode (4334017)

How to setup and configure the Data Recorder in Data Recorder Mode

The Quest Spotlight on Messaging Data Recorder enhances the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console by capturing server performance data, making it easier for you as an administrator to troubleshoot and resolve possible issues.

The Data Recorder functions in one of two modes - Data Recorder or Help Desk, and has a log file feature, which creates log entries for the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console.

Data Recorder Mode
The Spotlight on Messaging Data Recorder allows you to take a snapshot of the performance of a server and save it as a reference that can be reviewed at a later time. The Spotlight on Messaging Data Recorder saves the data collected by the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console proxies to .xml files.

Note: If you use the Spotlight on Messaging Data Recorder in Data Recorder mode, you must have administrative access to a live server.

While recording, the Spotlight on Messaging Data Recorder generates .xml data files for each server to which the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console is connected. The .xml files are stored in the location you select. The directory and the .xml files are named according to the server name. New .xml files are created for each polling interval. After recording, you can view the .xml files

Note: After recording for five minutes, the Spotlight on Messaging Data Recorder produces data files that use approximately 1.5 MB of hard disk space. Make sure you have adequate disk space before you record

To Record Data from a Live Server:
1. Start the Data Recorder
• Navigate to <Install Drive>\Program Files\Quest Software\Spotlight\Plug-ins\DatasourceSOM for 32bit servers
OR
<Install Drive>\Program Files(x86)\Quest Software\Spotlight\Plug-ins\DatasourceSOM for 64bit servers
• Double-click DataRecorderConfig.exe
2. Select Record under the Data Recorder label
3. Enter the location for the stored data files or click the ellipsis to browse to the storage location
4. Click OK
5. Start the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console and connect to any server

Note: When you select Record, a a new directory is created for each server. The name of the directory reflects the connection name address. If the directory already exists from a previous recording, the old data files are replaced with new recordings. Select Resume if you do not want the old files to be replaced.

When the Spotlight on Messaging Data Recorder plays back a recording, the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console user interface reflects the recorded data in the .xml files for each server to which you are connected.

Note: You should disable the Debug Logging option during the Data Recorder Play mode. If no data files exist for a server connection, most Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console user interface components appear gray in color and some will display "-2".

To play data from a live server:
1. Exit the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console
2. Start the Data Recorder
3. Click Play under the Data Recorder label
6. Enter the location for the stored data files or click the ellipsis to browse to the storage location
7. Click OK
8. Start the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console and connect to the corresponding server for which the data is stored

It is important to stop recording because of the amount of hard disk space consumed by the data files. When the play option is stopped, the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console does not display the recorded data and will establish a live connection with the server the next time you launch the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console.

To stop recording from a live server:
1. Exit the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console
2. Start the Data Recorder
3. Select Stop under the Data Recorder label
4. Click OK

When you select Resume, data is appended to the existing data file.

To resume recording from a live server:
1. Exit the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console
2. Start the Data Recorder
3. Select Resume under the Data Recorder label
4. Enter the location for the stored data files or click the ellipsis to browse to the storage location
5. Click OK
6. Start the Spotlight on Messaging Diagnostic Console and connect to the corresponding server for which the data was recorded

Applies to Spotlight on Exchange v5x.