Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for deploying and instantiating multiple instances of applications in automated data centers using an application deployment template. A first mechanism is provided to deploy multiple instances of applications using an application deployment plan template. The first mechanism uses deployment parameter sets to generate corresponding deployment plans based on the deployment template. A second mechanism is provided to instantiate multiple instances of applications using deployment plan templates. A service catalog that is exposed to consumers for selection of catalog items is built on top of the second mechanism. During the cataloging and order fulfillment process, the second mechanism instantiates multiple instances of applications using the generated deployment plans and an application model to deploy multiple application instances. An existing order may also be modified or terminated responsive to a user request or service term expiration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enhancing software catalog manageability, providing abstract software configuration, and desired state management. A first mechanism enhances software catalog manageability. The first mechanism includes a software model that separates metadata of software from actual binaries of the software. A second mechanism abstracts software configuration for automation. The second mechanism includes a hierarchical software resource template structure that specifies parameters, dependencies between parameters, features, options, and parameters that cannot be predefined. A third mechanism provides for desired state management and patch compliance assessments. The third mechanism checks against a server template or software resource in a data center model against what is installed on actual machines to determine compliance.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for providing alternative installation structures for deployment of software applications. A set of requirements for software modules to be deployed are detected. Based on the hosting requirement, the present invention determines a set of candidate software modules by comparing the hosting requirements to capabilities of software modules in a software registry. Non-hosting requirements are cascaded for validation at a corresponding level. The present invention exposes software modules based on their supported requirement types and filters candidate hosting software modules based on options defined in the non-hosting requirements. Finally, a list of options with a list of candidate software modules is presented for user selection.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for deploying and instantiating multiple instances of applications in automated data centers using an application deployment template. A first mechanism is provided to deploy multiple instances of applications using an application deployment plan template. The first mechanism uses deployment parameter sets to generate corresponding deployment plans based on the deployment template. A second mechanism is provided to instantiate multiple instances of applications using deployment plan templates. A service catalog that is exposed to consumers for selection of catalog items is built on top of the second mechanism. During the cataloging and order fulfillment process, the second mechanism instantiates multiple instances of applications using the generated deployment plans and an application model to deploy multiple application instances. An existing order may also be modified or terminated responsive to a user request or service term expiration.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a deployment plan for an application. The deployment plan represents the dependencies between the application's elements and the physical and networking components of a deployment and provides a framework for the steps to be taken in order to realize the application deployment within a system for managing the deployment of the application. The deployment plan can be established using as input a user provided logical application structure for an application to be deployed and a chosen application deployment template comprising a logical deployment template and a network topology template.

Abstract: The server template groups the configuration elements that have to be applied to a group of similar servers (e.g. a cluster of servers) in a structured entity, decoupling the set of parameters from the element those configurations are implemented for. The server template encapsulates the configuration elements that have to be applied to a server. It specifies the networking elements that will be configured (number of NICs, the VLAN each one of the NIC will be in, how many network interfaces on each NIC, the subnets those network interfaces will be configured in, the routes that will be configured on the server), the software that will have to be installed on the server once configured, the way the configured server will participate in a defined cluster.

Abstract: Deployment of an application is managed using available resources from a resource system. A resource dependency characterization of the application is established to enable deployment of the application. A logical characterization and a network characterization of a desired deployment are also established. A deployment plan containing an outline for resources and configurations used for deployment is developed based on the resource dependency characterization, the logical characterization and the network characterization. The deployment plan is processed for correlation with the available resources. The processed deployment plan is then implemented.