Virtual system patterns are
focused on the middleware layers of the system by defining repeatable,
deployable topologies that can be shared.
Cloud Pak System provides
a generic framework for designing, deploying, and managing virtual
systems. The model that you build by using the assets and quality
of service levels is called a virtual system pattern.
You can use predefined patterns, extend existing patterns, or create
new ones. When you build a virtual system pattern,
you create the model of a virtual system by using images, script
packages, software components, add-ons, advanced
options, and policies.
Images
Virtual images provide the operating
system and product binary files that are required to create a virtual system instance.
The IBM® OS Image for Red Hat® Linux® Systems virtual
image, for example, is preinstalled on your system. These images can
be extended to customize the virtual images and the operating system.
Script packages
Script packages can include
almost any set of executable files and artifacts that are valid for
the target virtual machine environment. Script packages are added
to virtual system pattern components
to customize their behavior. Script packages are simple containers
that contain all the required artifacts necessary to run a script.
The script package is a directory that is compressed into a single
file that is uploaded to the catalog and then associated with virtual system patterns.
The code included in the script package can be as simple as a shell
script or as complex as a complete product. The content of a script
package is not defined by the product. The script included in the
script package defines the required content for that package.
Software components
Software components install,
and possibly configure software on the virtual system pattern. Software components are
plug-ins that are created in the Plug-in Development Kit or
the console.
Add-ons
Add-ons are specialized scripts to
customize the virtual machine configuration. Use add-ons to modify
the virtual machine configuration during deployment without the need
to modify and save a new image configuration. You can use add-ons
to augment the hardware and operating system configuration of a virtual
machine.
Advanced options
Use advanced options to further
customize the virtual system configuration. Advanced options are not
implemented for all virtual system patterns.
If they are implemented for a pattern, the options that are available
depend on the topology of the virtual system pattern.
Policies
Policies define a quality of service
level for software artifacts in the virtual system. Policies can be
applied globally at the pattern level or specified for individual
components. You can add these policies to virtual system patterns: Base
Scaling, Security, Interim
fix, and Routing.