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Feature Tracker Collects Usage Statistics

As part of ongoing efforts by InterSystems to improve its products in line with customer needs, InterSystems includes a software utility in InterSystems IRIS® data platform called Feature Tracker, which gathers statistics on software module usage. This topic describes Feature Tracker.

Why InterSystems Gathers Statistics

The statistics gathered by Feature Tracker record whether or not software modules are present and used in a given InterSystems IRIS instance. Feature Tracker sends this information to InterSystems weekly via https. These statistics help InterSystems plan development and support.

The information gathered does not include any application data.

Where Logs Are

If InterSystems IRIS is successful in sending data, it updates the file FeatureTracker.log in the <installdir>\mgr directory. This file contains a JSON-format copy of the data that was sent. Each entry has the following form:

"FT.<feature>":<value>,

If InterSystems IRIS is unable to send the data, it tries several more times. If it is still unsuccessful, it stops trying and tries again at the next regularly schedule time.

InterSystems IRIS updates the messages log file (messages.log) with both successful and unsuccessful attempts. An entry showing a successful send has the following form:

mm/dd/yy-hh:mm:ss 0 %SYS.Task.FeatureTracker transferred data to ats.intersystems.com

An entry showing an unsuccessful attempt to send has the following form:

mm/dd/yy-hh:mm:ss 1 %SYS.Task.FeatureTracker failed to transfer data

Transmitted data includes an encoded license key and host name, as well as the instance GUID.

What Statistics are Gathered

Feature Tracker logs whether the following software features are enabled:

  • BitTrakCare

  • BI User (Runtime) and BI Development

  • C-Type License

  • ExtremeNoUserLimit

  • Healthshare, Healthshare Foundation

  • IPNeutral

  • Web License

Feature Tracker also logs the following information:

  • Database (DB) Encryption: Whether it is enabled, and number of mounted encrypted databases available at snapshot time

  • Mirroring: Whether this instance is connected to a mirror, number of failover members, number and type of async members, and number of mirror sets each async member is a member of

  • System: Authorization, InterSystems IRIS version, operating system, host name, instance name, instance ID, and order ID

How to Deactivate Feature Tracker

Feature Tracker is enabled by default. You can deactivate it to prevent it from sending data to InterSystems (though it will still collect the data). To deactivate Feature Tracker, use the Task Manager as follows:

  1. In the Management Portal, select System Operation > Task Manager > Task Schedule.

  2. Locate the Feature Tracker line and select Feature Tracker.

  3. On the displayed task detail page, select Suspend.

  4. Answer the question Do you want to reschedule task when task is supposed to run? as appropriate.

  5. Select Perform this action now to suspend the task.

If you upgrade InterSystems IRIS, the upgrade preserves the state of Feature Tracker. If the task was scheduled before the upgrade, it remains scheduled, and if the task was suspended, it remains suspended.

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