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Frequently Asked Questions about IBM UrbanCode Deploy solutions for WebSphere Application Server

By Osman Burucu posted Fri March 03, 2023 02:24 AM

  

This Article/Blog was published  May 15, 2015. Information provided maybe outdated! Please check latest documentation for more updated information.

Frequently Asked Questions about IBM UrbanCode Deploy solutions for WebSphere Application Server

  • Are you new to using IBM UrbanCode Deploy with WebSphere Application Server?
  • Are you currently using the IBM WebSphere Application Server – Middleware Configuration plug-in and are looking for more information on the new WebSphere Application Server – Configure plug-in?
  • Are you currently using Rational Automation Framework to manage WebSphere Application Server deployments and considering migrating to IBM UrbanCode Deploy?

If so, this article is for you.

What is the IBM WebSphere Application Server – Configure plug-in?

The IBM WebSphere Application Server – Configure plug-in includes steps that manage WebSphere Application Server configurations. You manage configurations by using the resource tree in the IBM UrbanCode Deploy user interface.

What is the IBM WebSphere Application Server – Middleware Configuration plug-in?

The IBM WebSphere Application Server – Middleware Configuration plug-in also includes steps that manage of WebSphere Application Server configurations. Configurations are stored as templates. A template is a set of XML files that are generated automatically by analyzing an example WebSphere Application Server environment, or are created and modified by using an XML editor.

What is the WebSphere Application Server – Deployment plug-in?

The WebSphere Application Server – Deployment plug-in includes steps for deploying application binaries to and performing administrative tasks for WebSphere Application Server.

The WebSphere Application Server – Configure plug-in and the IBM WebSphere Application Server – Middleware Configuration sound similar. How do I know which one to use?

Here’s a comparison.

Benefits of using the WebSphere Application Server – Configure (Configure) plug-in

  • Both plug-ins let you make changes to a WebSphere Application Server configuration, but the Configure plug-in takes advantage of the resource tree in the IBM UrbanCode Deploy user interface. The resource tree supports enforcement of rules regarding the changes a user is allowed to make to the configuration. For example, the user interface can prevent a user from adding a WebSphere object to an invalid location. The Middleware Configuration plug-in requires users to manually edit files in an XML editor to make configuration changes.
  • Both plug-ins let you compare configuration details, but the Configure plug-in takes advantage of the IBM UrbanCode Deploy user interface to create and display comparisons graphically. The Middleware Configuration plug-in can also compare configurations, but the comparison operation and results are text-based only.
  • The Configure plug-in, built on Groovy and Jython, is smaller and more lightweight than the Middleware Configuration plug-in.
  • Typically, it is easier to parameterize configuration values by using the Configure plug-in rather than the Middleware Configuration plug-in, because the Configure plug-in uses standard IBM UrbanCode Deploy property substitution.

Benefits of using the WebSphere Application Server – Middleware Configuration (Middleware Configuration) plug-in

  • Currently, versioning WebSphere Application Server configurations when using the Configure plug-in is not a straightforward process. Configurations are managed using UrbanCode Deploy’s resource tree, which currently does not include a versioning mechanism. You can, however, make copies of resource trees and treat them as different versions. Versioning in the Middleware Configuration plug-in is a more direct process.
  • Similarly, configuration information is not closely tied to IBM UrbanCode Deploy components when using the Configure plug-in rather than the Middleware Configuration plug-in.

I plan to migrate my WebSphere Application Server configuration management system

from Rational Automation Framework to IBM UrbanCode Deploy, with the IBM WebSphere Application Server – Configure and IBM WebSphere Application Server – Deploy plug-ins. Will I be able to do everything with IBM UrbanCode Deploy that I can do with Rational Automation Framework?

The following chart lists the key scenarios Rational Automation Framework currently supports and indicates whether those scenarios are supported by IBM UrbanCode Deploy with the IBM WebSphere Application Server – Configure and IBM WebSphere Application Server – Deploy plug-ins.

  • IBM UrbanCode Deploy support for key scenarios
Rational Automation Framework key scenarios Deploy Plug-Ins
Import a configuration from a specified cell, at one or more scopes Supported
Extract a configuration template from a configuration definition, tokenizing data that varies for each environment Supported
Promote a configuration definition across SDLC, allowing for token substitution Supported
Cell discovery Supported
Apply a configuration to a specified cell, at one or more scopes Supported
Configuration drift detection Supported
Cell-to-cell comparison Supported
Custom actions, as plug-in steps supported by the core IBM UrbanCode Deploy server Supported
Install a fix pack on a middleware target Supported
Deploy an application from an existing cell to the cloud Supported
Edit a configuration definition in the Eclipse user interface Partially Supported? Check latest version of Plug-ins
Install a middleware product based on existing topology Not Supported? Check latest version of Plug-Ins
Install a middleware product by creating a topology Not Supported? Check latest version of Plug-Ins
Store and retrieve a configuration definition or template from an asset repository or source control management system Not Supported? Check latest version of Plug-Ins
Migrate an application from an existing cell to an upgraded version of WebSphere Application Server Not Supported? Check latest version of Plug-Ins
Configuration templates Partially Supported? Check latest version of Plug-ins

How can I ask questions or offer suggestions regarding the IBM UrbanCode Deploy solutions for WebSphere Application Server?

  • To ask questions about IBM UrbanCode Deploy and WebSphere Application Server solutions, visit the discussion forum here in the community.
  • To make suggestions on improving WebSphere Application Server configuration management - UrbanCode Deploy Plug-Ins, open a IDEA here.

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#WebSphereApplicationServer(WAS)
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