Resource directory management

If you store CMRs and data objects in central resource directories, you must understand some of the characteristics of resource directories to make sure that your resources are available when and where you need them.

Resource directories that AFP Resource Installer creates use a resource access table (RAT) as the index of the resource directory. The index is stored as a file in the directory that it refers to. You must store CMRs in resource directories that use a RAT. It is recommended that you store data objects in resource directories that use a RAT as well.

When you use AFP Resource Installer to create a resource directory, it creates a RAT and stores it in the directory. When you install a CMR or data object, AFP Resource Installer updates the RAT with information about the resource. When a print server looks in a resource directory for a resource, it first looks in the RAT to see whether the resource is listed.

The print server relies on the RAT; if it is incorrect, the print server cannot find resources in the resource directory. As a result, you must always use AFP Resource Installer to manage your resource directories, including to take the following actions:
  • Add CMRs and data objects to a resource directory. Do not copy CMRs or data objects directly into the resource directories that AFP Resource Installer uses. If you copy CMRs or data objects into these resource directories, the RAT is not updated so the print server cannot use it to find the CMRs or data objects.
  • Modify properties of data objects and CMRs listed in the RAT. Do not directly edit the RAT or any of the files in a resource directory. Do not replace an existing version of a CMR or data object with a new version by copying the new version directly into the resource directory; use AFP Resource Installer to update the resource.
  • Install CMRs or data objects in a different resource directory or replicate a resource directory in a different location.

Do not copy CMRs or data objects from a resource directory and store them in another location.

For more information about completing these tasks, see the AFP Resource Installer help.