Working with classic virtual system patterns

Classic virtual system patterns enable efficient and repeatable deployments of systems that include one or more virtual machine instances, and the applications that run on them.

You can completely automate the deployment and eliminate the need to perform multiple time-consuming manual tasks. Such a deployment eliminates problems that are introduced by error-prone, manual configuration processes and accelerates solution deployment.

Starting in PureApplication® Software Version 2.0.0.0, virtual system patterns are built and deployed on the same underlying architecture as virtual application patterns. With this change, you have the same control over the topology and configuration as you did before, but the operating system and middleware are now decoupled. You can also build virtual system patterns and manage your deployed virtual system patterns with the tools that were previously available for only virtual application patterns. For more information, see "Working with virtual system patterns." Virtual system patterns that were created on the previous architecture are still supported, and are now referred to as classic virtual system patterns. You can promote a classic virtual system pattern to the new format. For more information, see "Promoting classic virtual system patterns."

You can use predefined classic virtual system patterns as they are, or create new ones. You can also copy existing classic virtual system patterns and customize the copy, or you can edit any classic virtual system pattern that is not read-only.

You can use parts from multiple virtual images in a single classic virtual system pattern. For example, you might build a classic virtual system pattern that includes WebSphere® Application Server, IBM® WebSphere Process Server, and DB2® components. Deploying the example classic virtual system pattern installs and initializes the product components. You can edit the parameters of the parts and script packages in your classic virtual system patterns.

To work with classic virtual system patterns, use either the console or the command-line interface. Use one, or both, of the following options for working with classic virtual system patterns:
  • Use the console, as described in Managing classic virtual system patterns.
  • Use the command-line interface or REST API to work with patterns outside of the console. See the related reference topics for more information.

You can configure advanced options for the classic virtual system patterns. See the related tasks for more information.