Ports used by albd_server and shipping_server

The environment variables CLEARCASE_MIN_PORT and CLEARCASE_MAX_PORT specify the range of port numbers that the albd_server and the shipping server can allocate for communication purposes. When the shipping server needs to assign a port number, it starts with the value of CLEARCASE_MIN_PORT and continues through the range until it reaches CLEARCASE_MAX_PORT. If a port in the range cannot be allocated, the shipping server sleeps and tries the ports again.

When the shipping server on the sending host detects that the port environment variables are set, it tries to use TCP to make the connection with the albd_server on the receiving host. If this connection fails, the shipping server tries UDP. Therefore, if you have TCP connectivity, you do not have to enable UDP or open UDP ports on the exposed host.

Running an individual shipping server does not require more than three ports at a time. When there are multiple requests to be sent, the shipping server forks. Child processes handle individual requests. The shipping server starts no more than 10 child processes (and starts that many only if there are 10 requests to process simultaneously). Due to the delay for port reallocation, a minimum of 30 ports must be available (plus port 371 for albd_server). If there are fewer available ports, it may result in failed attempts, which can be retried later.