albd_server process

When a client program needs access to a service (a VOB or view server, for example) on a DevOps Code ClearCase® server host, it uses a remote procedure call (RPC) to send a request to the albd_server process on that host. The albd_server starts the requested service if it is not already started, and provides the service's port number to the client. Thereafter, the client communicates directly with the service.

The albd_server handles a variety of tasks on hosts configured to support local VOBs and views:
  • Starting and stopping other DevOps Code ClearCase® services as needed.
  • Setting up network communications between DevOps Code ClearCase® clients and servers.
  • Managing execution of tasks run by the DevOps Code ClearCase® scheduler.
  • Responding to requests for registry information on a DevOps Code ClearCase® registry server host.
  • Responding to requests for licenses on a DevOps Code ClearCase® license server host.
  • On hosts running Linux or the UNIX system, responding to load-balancing queries from a remote clearmake process.
When you start DevOps Code ClearCase®, the albd_server starts first and runs with one of the following user identities:
  • As root on Linux or on the UNIX system
  • A specially created privileged user account on DevOps Code ClearCase® on Windows®
When you stop DevOps Code ClearCase®, the albd_server stops all DevOps Code ClearCase® services on the host and then exits.

DevOps Code ClearCase® services started by the albd_server generally run with the identity of the resource (VOB or view) owner on Linux or the UNIX system, and with the identity of the albd_server on Windows®.

Port assignment

The albd_server process listens for RPCs on a well-known port (port 371) that has been reserved for it by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. DevOps Code ClearCase® installation verifies that no other service uses this port for UDP or TCP communications. If a conflict is detected, you must assign another port to the conflicting service. If you cannot reconfigure or remove the conflicting service, you must configure the albd_server to use a different UDP port.
  • On Linux or the UNIX system, edit the local host's services database or the NIS services map.
  • On Windows®, create the appropriate entry in the file %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc\services. (If there is no entry for the albd_server in this file, it uses port 371.)
Note: All albd_server processes in a community must use the same port number. If you change the albd_server port assignment on any DevOps Code ClearCase® host, you must change it on every DevOps Code ClearCase® host.

The albd_server reads configuration file albd.conf during startup to determine which services to provide. Do not modify this file.