ClearCheck > Frequently Asked Questions

Does ClearCheck change any data?
Absolutely not. ClearCheck runs only in "Read-Only" mode. It can recognize errors in ClearCase data and may suggest you of ways to fix it, but it never changes any data.

You say that ClearCheck runs on Windows, UNIX and Linux. Where is the installation for UNIX and Linux?
You are right. There is only one installation - for Windows dashboard. We set this product so it can talk with your UNIX and Linux VOB server by SSH (Secure Shell). You just need to define server name, user and password. ClearCheck will do the rest.

How much time does it take to start running ClearCheck?
A few minutes. Installation is required for VOB server only, not clients. ClearCheck seamlessly integrates to your ClearCase environments, finds your VOBs, views and ClearCase data by itself. You only need to require a few parameters, and then you can start using it.

How do I get the report?
By email. It will be sent to your defined email address automatically when the report is ready.

Is it considered a monitoring tool?
Yes! ClearCheck monitors your VOB databases health on a daily basis (or any other frequency you wish) and deliver its results to you by Email.

How do I know that ClearCheck's output Email is reliable?
ClearCheck analyzes text using well-known patterns, which were generated by ClearCase. We achieved those patterns by reading all books, knowledge-bases and information available for IBM Rational ClearCase.

We have hundreds of VOBs. Will it work for us?
Of course. You get a final report into your email that includes all VOBs information.

Does ClearCheck synchronize with my VOB backups?
Absolutely yes. You can synchronize ClearCheck to run beside your backup script. ClearCheck can synchronize with Windows, UNIX and Linux backup scripts. More information is available in the manual.

What is "Ready for IBM Rational" logo that you've been awarded?
This logo means that our ClearCheck product was examined by IBM innovation center (IBM IIC) and has been found to be suitable for working as an add-on to Rational ClearCase.

You say that ClearCheck can check all VOBs with no down-time. How can it be possible? Shouldn't VOBs be locked??
In fact, the only check that requires locking the VOBs is "dbcheck". But since ClearCheck supports checking of your VOBs backup, including snapshot of filers like NetAPP and EMC, "dbcheck" can be run with no downtime.

What ClearCase checks are included in "ClearCheck"?
The following are included in all platforms and all ClearCase versions: check integrity of the files in the VOB databases (dbcheck); Find inconsistencies within and between VOBs (checkvob); Check registry files for inconsistencies (rgy_check) and check for left free space in VOBs storage.

I use ClearCase MultiSite. Should I run health checks on both sides?
Health checks should be run on each replica. The reason is: ClearCase does application-level replication, not DB-level replication so they are really independent (but related) databases.

What support do I get when downloading the product?
When you download the product, you get its manual guide as part of installation. The companies that purchase it get support, maintenance and updates as well.

How can I request for enhancements?
You are welcome! Please email us: rfe@almtoolbox.com