Creating virtual application patterns

Create virtual application patterns to model virtual applications that you can deploy to the cloud.

Before you begin

You must be granted access to patterns, access to create patterns, or have the Workload resources administration with Full permission to complete this task.

About this task

When you create a virtual application, you first select a pattern type. The pattern type abstracts the infrastructure and middleware layers for a particular type of workload, such as a web application. You can then create a virtual application pattern by using the components that are associated with the selected pattern type.

Use the Pattern Builder to define, create, and deploy your virtual applications. For example, rather than installing, configuring, and creating a connection to a specific instance of a database, you can specify the need for a database and provide the associated database schema in your virtual application pattern. The database instance and the connection in the cloud is then created for you by the virtual application pattern.
Attention: You can optionally specify a password for some elements during pattern creation. These password fields are provided as a convenience during the testing and development process. Passwords must not be saved in the pattern for patterns that are used in a production environment. Instead, leave the field blank during pattern creation and specify the password when the pattern is deployed.
You can use the console, the command line interface, or the REST API to complete this task. For the command line and REST API information, see the Related information section.

Procedure

  1. Click Patterns > Virtual Application Patterns.
  2. Click Create New.
  3. To build your virtual application pattern:
    1. Select a pattern type from the menu.
    2. Select a virtual application template.
    3. Click Start Building. You created a new virtual application pattern associated with a pattern type. The Pattern Builder opens in a new window where you can add components and policies.
  4. In the pattern properties pane, specify the following information:
    Name
    The name of the virtual application pattern.
    Description
    The description of the virtual application pattern. This field is optional.
    Type
    Leave Pattern selected to create a virtual application pattern or select Pattern Template to create a virtual application template that is used as the basis for creating other virtual application patterns.
    Lock option for plug-in usage
    Specify how this virtual application pattern is affected by upgrades to the pattern type or to IBM® Foundation Pattern.
    Unlock plug-ins
    If the pattern type is upgraded, use the latest versions of pattern type plug-ins. If IBM Foundation Pattern is upgraded, use the latest version.
    Lock all plug-ins except Foundation plug-ins
    If the pattern type is upgraded, do not change the version of the plug-ins that are associated with this virtual application pattern. If IBM Foundation Pattern is upgraded, use the latest version.
    Lock all plug-ins
    Do not change the version of plug-ins or the version of the IBM Foundation Pattern associated with this virtual application pattern when an upgrade occurs.
    Note: If you select Lock all plug-ins except Foundation plug-ins or Lock all plug-ins, you can view a list of which plug-ins are locked. Click the Source tab in Pattern Builder. The application model source is displayed. Search for the element plugins to view the list.
  5. If you selected a blank template, the canvas is empty and you can start building the virtual application. If you selected a template, customize the virtual application:
    • Drag the components that you want to add to the virtual application pattern onto the canvas. Configure the components as needed.
    • To add policies to the virtual application pattern, click Add policy to Pattern and select a policy or select a component part on the canvas and click the Add a Component Policy icon to add a component-specific policy.
    • To remove parts, click the Remove Component icon in the component part.
    • To edit the connections between the parts, hover over one of the objects until the blue circle turns orange. Select the circle with the left mouse button, drag a connection to the second object until the object is highlighted, and release the mouse button.
  6. Click Save.