SystemLink Store and Forward Feature Configuration

Issue Details

What is the SystemLink Store and Forward feature and what are its configuration options? 

Solution

The SystemLink Client has a feature called Store and Forward that enables data that is intended to be sent to the SystemLink server to be stored locally when disconnected from the server and then forwarded to the server when a connection is re-established. This is most notably used by the TestStand SystemLink Result Processor when recording data for test results.

It has three modes: 

• Disabled – Will not use store and forward. The result processor will communicate directly with the server. If the server is disconnected, an error will occur in TestStand, and the data will be lost.
• When disconnected from the server – Store and forward will only be used when the client is disconnected from the server. While disconnected, it will store the data locally. When the connection is re-established, it will automatically begin forwarding the stored data.
• Always (recommended) – Store and forward will always be used, even when connected to the server. Data will be cached locally first and then automatically forwarded to the server.

Store and Forward is configured in the TestStand Result Processing configuration. In TestStand open Configure>> Result Processing… In the dialog, open the NI SystemLink Test Monitor Client configuration.

Additional Information

Store and Forward “Always” is the recommended setting because it allows communication to the server to happen asynchronously as opposed to blocking the TestStand execution with each message. Another advantage is that it implements a batching feature. For certain types of transactions, the Forwarding Service will batch consecutive transactions into a single request to the server. This can improve performance for the server and reduce network traffic.