Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for collecting deployment information from a user for a multi-tier computer system. The method includes the steps of receiving a deployment size of the multi-tier system from the user and identifying a set of virtual appliances by function based upon the deployment size received from the user. The method further includes the steps of prompting the user for a name for each identified virtual appliance, collecting network information of each virtual appliance based upon the name and generating a deployment configuration file for a mandatory virtual appliance of the set of virtual appliances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for creating a virtual machine installer for use in a multi-tier computer system. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of interactive applications operating together to achieve a predetermined enterprise objective, providing a plurality of substantially identical virtual appliances, modifying the plurality of virtual appliances by installing a respective interactive application into each of the plurality of virtual appliances (VAs), generating a catalog of the modified virtual appliances, and saving the modified virtual appliances and the catalog on a medium.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are provided for deploying at least one virtual appliance to a deployment site of a multi-tier computer system. The method includes reading a deployment configuration file to identify at least one virtual appliance to deploy, transferring the identified at least one virtual appliance to the computer system, registering the at least one virtual appliance with a virtualization software of the computer system, changing the network settings of the virtualization software to match the deployment configuration file, placing a copy of the deployment configuration file on the virtualization software, and the virtualization software installing the identified at least one virtual appliance on the computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for creating a virtual machine installer for use in a multi-tier computer system. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of interactive applications operating together to achieve a predetermined enterprise objective, providing a plurality of substantially identical virtual appliances, modifying the plurality of virtual appliances by installing a respective interactive application into each of the plurality of virtual appliances (VAs), generating a catalog of the modified virtual appliances, and saving the modified virtual appliances and the catalog on a medium.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are provided for deploying at least one virtual appliance to a deployment site of a multi-tier computer system. The method includes reading a deployment configuration file to identify at least one virtual appliance to deploy, transferring the identified at least one virtual appliance to the computer system, registering the at least one virtual appliance with a virtualization software of the computer system, changing the network settings of the virtualization software to match the deployment configuration file, placing a copy of the deployment configuration file on the virtualization software, and the virtualization software installing the identified at least one virtual appliance on the computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for collecting deployment information from a user for a multi-tier computer system. The method includes the steps of receiving a deployment size of the multi-tier system from the user and identifying a set of virtual appliances by function based upon the deployment size received from the user. The method further includes the steps of prompting the user for a name for each identified virtual appliance, collecting network information of each virtual appliance based upon the name and generating a deployment configuration file for a mandatory virtual appliance of the set of virtual appliances.