What is a file agent?
Published : April 8, 2005 | Updated : August 17, 2005
A file agent is software that you install on each of the file servers that you want to protect with Data Protection Manager (DPM). The file agent performs the following functions:
Records changes to protected data in a synchronization log
The file agent creates a separate synchronization log for each protected volume and stores the log in a hidden file on that volume.
Transfers the synchronization log from the file server to the DPM server to enable DPM to synchronize the replica
Allows the DPM server to browse the shares, volumes, and folders on the file server
Relationship between the DPM server and a file agent
A file agent is controlled exclusively by the DPM server from which it is installed. You cannot assign an installed file agent to work with a different DPM server.
Software components
The file agent software consists of two components: the file agent itself and an agent coordinator. The agent coordinator is software that is temporarily installed on a file server during installation, update, or uninstallation of a file agent.