Versioned object bases (VOBs)

A DevOps Code ClearCase® community's permanent repository of software artifacts consists of one or (usually) more versioned object bases (VOBs), which can be located on any VOB server host.

Each VOB occupies a VOB storage directory, which holds an embedded database and related files.

VOB administration responsibilities include the following:
  • Creating VOBs. Any user can create a VOB, but the DevOps Code ClearCase administrator is often responsible for creating and managing VOBs that hold artifacts that are important to all members of the community. For more information about creating and managing VOBs, see VOB administration.
  • Importing data. DevOps Code ClearCase includes a variety of tools that can import data from other configuration management systems. It is often the administrator's job to import this data into VOBs and organize it for the use of the community. For more information about importing data into a VOB, see Importing data.
  • Backup and recovery. VOBs are critical data repositories with special backup and recovery requirements. Timely implementation of a reliable backup and restore strategy for VOBs is one of the DevOps Code ClearCase administrator's most important jobs. The procedures to back up and restore VOBs are described in Backing up critical DevOps Code ClearCase data and Restoring critical DevOps Code ClearCase data.
  • Managing network access. Network access information for all VOBs is kept in the DevOps Code ClearCase registry, which is described in Administering the DevOps Code ClearCase registry. In a typical network, registry maintenance is minimal; the commands that create VOBs also update the registry. You do not need to change this information unless you move a VOB, change a VOB server host name, or enable VOB access in mixed networks of computers running different supported operating systems (see DevOps Code ClearCase network administration in mixed environments).
  • Managing user access. Each VOB has an owner, a primary group, an optional supplemental group list, and a protection mode. Together, they control access to VOB data. Understanding and managing VOB access controls is an important task for the DevOps Code ClearCase administrator. For more information, see VOB and view access control.
  • Periodic maintenance. VOB administrators must balance the need to preserve important data with the need to conserve disk space. DevOps Code ClearCase includes tools for collecting data about disk space used and for occasional scrubbing of unneeded data. It also includes a job scheduling service and tools that you can run periodically to monitor and manage VOB data storage and to check VOB data integrity. Periodic maintenance describes periodic maintenance tasks in detail.