The Watchdog Test is a built-in diagnostic function that validates the complete end-to-end signal path between Asset Backup Scheduler and the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service. Running the Watchdog Test before placing the automated backup into production confirms that the integration is correctly configured and that Control Architect will respond to completed asset collections as expected.
Best Practice: Always run the Watchdog Test after initial configuration, after any settings changes, and after any network or server infrastructure changes before relying on the scheduled backup to automatically trigger Control Architect snapshot generation.
What the Watchdog Test Does
The Watchdog Test executes a three-step validation sequence that simulates the end-to-end signal path without performing a full backup run:
Step
Step Name
Description
Step 1
Create / Copy Test File
Asset Backup Scheduler creates a small test file and copies it to the designated network share output location. This step verifies that the host has write access to the network share and can successfully deposit files to the location monitored by the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service.
Step 2
Listen for Watchdog Event
Asset Backup Scheduler listens for a response event from the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service, confirming that the service detected the test file and processed the trigger signal. This step validates that the Monitor Service is running, reachable, and correctly monitoring the output location.
Step 3
Validate Watchdog Event
Asset Backup Scheduler validates the received Watchdog event to confirm that the signal received matches the expected test event. This final step confirms full round-trip communication integrity between Asset Backup Scheduler and the Control Architect Monitor Service.
Watchdog Test Status Values
Each of the three Watchdog test steps reports an individual status:
Status
Description
Not Started
The Watchdog Test has not yet been initiated, or this step has not yet been reached.
Running
This step of the Watchdog Test is currently executing.
Completed
This step completed successfully. Proceed to the next step.
Failed
This step failed. Review the activity messages for the specific failure reason and consult Troubleshooting for resolution steps.
Warning
This step completed with a non-critical issue. Review the activity messages.
Canceled
The Watchdog Test was canceled by the user before this step completed.
Running the Watchdog Test
1. Ensure the following prerequisites are met before running the test:
The Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service (Windows service: Control Architect Backup Monitor) is installed and in a Running state.
The Network Share Folder is configured in Settings and the host has write access to the share.
The Control Architect Host API Address is correctly entered in Settings.
2. Navigate to the Watchdog Test section within the application (typically accessible from the main view or Settings area).
3. Click the Run Watchdog Test button to initiate the test sequence.
4. Monitor the three-step Watchdog Test Status list. Each step will progress through Running → Completed (or Failed if an issue is detected).
5. If all three steps complete with Completed status, the end-to-end signal path is verified and the automated backup schedule is ready for production use.
6. If any step fails, review the activity messages associated with the failed step and consult Troubleshooting for resolution guidance.
Common Watchdog Test Failures
Failing Step
Likely Cause
Resolution
Step 1: Create / Copy Test File
No write access to the network share, or the network share path is incorrect
Verify the Network Share Folder path and credentials in Settings. Confirm the share is accessible from the host and the user account has write permissions.
Step 2: Listen for Watchdog Event
The Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service is not running, or the Control Architect Host API address is incorrect
Confirm the Backup File Monitor Service is running in Windows Services. Verify the Control Architect Host API Address in Settings. Check for firewall rules blocking communication between the hosts.
Step 3: Validate Watchdog Event
The event received did not match the expected Watchdog test signal, indicating a misconfiguration in the Monitor Service or a stale event from a previous run
Restart the Control Architect Backup File Monitor Service and re-run the Watchdog Test. Ensure no other Asset Backup Scheduler instance is running simultaneously on the network.
Important: The Watchdog Test does not perform a full backup run and does not generate a Configuration Collection snapshot. It validates only the communication path between Asset Backup Scheduler and the Control Architect Monitor Service. A successful Watchdog Test confirms readiness for production backup operation but does not guarantee that all backup job types will complete successfully. Run a full manual backup after the Watchdog Test passes to confirm complete end-to-end backup functionality.
