Minimizing reconnection delay for the xMatters Agent

If the xMatters Agent loses network connection for a significant period, it may delay reconnecting with xMatters for several minutes after the network becomes available.

If you encounter this type of delay, follow these instructions to minimize the reconnection time so that the xAgent can get back to work as soon as possible.

To set the agent reconnection delay on Linux:

1. Log on to the xMatters Agent host, using the same account that the agent uses (typically the “xmatters” user).
2. Navigate to /etc/xmatters/xa
3. Make a backup copy of the xa.conf file.
4. Open xa.conf with a text editor and create a new line at the end of the file.
5. Paste the following text in the new line:
   export RETRY_MAX_WAIT_CYCLES=1
6. Save the file and restart the agent.

To set the agent reconnection delay on Windows:

1. Log on to the xMattters Agent host as a user with administrator privileges.
2. Open a new Terminal window using the “Run as administrator” option*.
3. Navigate to c:\program files\xa\config
4. Make a backup copy of xagent-service.conf
5. Open xagent-service.conf with a text editor (eg, notepad.exe).
6. Find the section of the document where the lines begin “wrapper.java.additional”
7. Paste the following text after the last of these lines:
   wrapper.java.additional.19 = -DRETRY_MAX_WAIT_CYCLES=1
8. If necessary, change the number of the new line so that it is consecutive to the line above it. For example, if the previous line begins “wrapper.java.additional.21”, then change the new line so that it begins “wrapper.java.additional.22”.

Save the file and restart the xAgent.

Note: On Windows hosts, the agent is installed in a subdirectory that requires administrative privileges to save files after they are edited.  Using a terminal window with administrator privileges to invoke the Notepad editor is the easiest way to edit and save a file in these conditions.