Repository modes in OBIEE

Online Mode

Use online mode to view and modify a repository while it is loaded into the Oracle BI Server. The Oracle BI Server must be running to open a repository in online mode. There are certain things you can do in online mode that you cannot do in offline mode. In online mode, you can perform the following tasks:

• Manage scheduled jobs
  
• Manage user sessions
  
• Manage the query cache
  
• Manage clustered servers

In online mode, the administrator edits a live repository that the server has in memory; that is, users can still access the repository while changes are being made. Changes to the repository are immediately applied to the server when they are checked in.

Oracle BI Server has already opened the repository file and the operating system has put a write-lock on the file. In this mode, Oracle BI Server act as an agent of the Administration Tool. When the Administration Tool tells it to, Oracle BI Server sends the Administration Tool a copy of its in-memory repository. Then it listens for messages from the Administration Tool about changes, makes those changes to its in-memory copy, and, when told by the Administration Tool, tells the OS to save the changed file.

Offline Mode

Use offline mode to view and modify a repository while it is not loaded into the Oracle BI Server. If you attempt to open a repository in offline mode while it is loaded into the Oracle BI Server, the repository opens in read-only mode. Only one Administration Tool session at a time can edit a repository in offline mode.

You can edit the repositories in offline mode by two of the following ways,

Follow these steps to open an RPD-format repository in offline mode:

1. In the Administration Tool, select File > Open > Offline.

• Go to the repository you want to open, and then select Open.
• In the Open Offline dialog, enter the repository password, and then click OK.

You do not need to enter a user name and password to open a repository in offline mode. You only need to enter the repository password.

2. You can also open MDS XML format repositories in offline mode, as follows:

• In the Administration Tool, select File > Open > MDS XML.
• Select the root folder location for your MDS XML files and click OK.
• If this is the first time you have opened this MDS XML repository in the Administration Tool, you are prompted to specify whether this repository is a standalone MDS XML repository, or whether it is under source control. Select the appropriate option and click OK.

When you open an MDS XML format repository in the Administration Tool, the title bar displays the format and root folder location (for example, MDS XML C:\Root_Folder).

Note:

If the server is running and the repository you are trying to open is loaded, the repository opens in read-only mode. If you want to edit the repository while it is loaded, you must open it in online mode. Also, if you open a repository in offline mode and then start the server, the repository becomes available to users. Any changes you make become available only when the server is restarted.