Deploying virtual systems using a VGP and VGJ

You can build a repeatable process for deploying new virtual systems by using a Virtual Guest Package (VGP). The VGP describes the new virtual system you want to add, and you deploy that system using a Virtual Guest Job (VGJ).

For example, you can base the VGP on an existing VMware vCenter template, or create the VGP using values of your own, if you do not have an existing machine or template on which to base the configuration. Having a base package from which to deploy new Virtual Machines helps enforce consistency and standards, such as including Antivirus and management software on any new virtual machine.

If you want to use the Smart Agent capabilities, ensure that the virtual machine template for the VGP includes the RSCD agent and Smart Agent.

A VGP bundles configuration changes so they can be deployed to hosts/clusters using a Virtual Guest Job. A VGP consists of an instruction set and any files needed for implementing configuration changes. Configuration changes can consist of additions, deletions, and modifications to any of the server objects TrueSight Server Automation supports on all operating systems. This capability allows you to create multiple VGPs, each designed and tailored for a specific use. For example, you can create one VGP that defines a VM for an development SQL server, while another can be tailored for use by QA as a web server.

The following table describes the use cases associated with deploying new virtual systems by using a VGP and VGJ, and provides links to the related topics.

Use case

See

Review the requirements and recommendations for using VGPs.

Set operating system defaults to be used for the VGPs that are created by the Virtual Guest Template Enrollment Job, which is used to automatically discover operating system templates. (For VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, and RHEV Manager platforms.)

Create a VGP, using the following methods:

  • Use a Virtual Guest Template Enrollment Job to automatically discover operating system templates on those systems, and create VGP s for the discovered templates. (For VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix Xenserver, and RHEV Manager platforms.)
  • Create the VGP manually. (For VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, IBM, Solaris, Citrix XenServer, and RHEV Manager platforms.)

View a VGP and review or change the predefined parameters to edit the configuration of the new virtual system (for example, VM, LPAR, non-global zone) that are created from the package. 

Use a VGJ, based on a previously created VGP , to deploy a virtual machine to a target host server.

Modify an existing VGJ should you need to change any of the job properties

Review an example of creating a VGP that contains the VM guest configuration settings normally required by VMware vCenter.

 

Tip: For faster searching, add an asterisk to the end of your partial query. Example: cert*