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Understanding Workflows
This chapter contains the following sections:
• About Workflows, page 1
• Workflow Designer, page 1
• Predefined Tasks, page 3
• Predefined Workflows, page 3
About WorkflowsCisco UCS Director Orchestrator allows you to organize workflows so that you can automate simple orcomplex actions on your infrastructure (either physical or virtual). By using Orchestrator you can organizetasks into distinct workflows to accomplish specific IT services, such as adding VMs. You can then addmultiple tasks to a workflow is accomplished using the workflow UI designer. Triggers help initiate actionsinside a workflow. You can execute the workflow directory or have a trigger begin the process. A typicalworkflow consists of the following elements:
•Workflow Designer (GUI interface)
• Predefined Tasks
The simplest workflow consists of two connected tasks. A task represents a particular action or operation.The workflow determines the order in which your tasks are executed by Orchestrator. When constructingworkflows, by dragging-and-dropping tasks, it is possible to route the output of one workflow into the inputof another workflow. This connecting of multiple tasks is how you create more complex workflows.
Workflow DesignerYou use the workflow designer to implement actions or to select tasks from a list and then drag and drop themonto yourWorkflow Designer pane.
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Workflow Life Cycle Editing ActionsCommon workflow editing actions are as follows:
DescriptionName
Adds a new workflow.Add Workflow
Imports a workflow to other sources.Import Workflow
Exports a workflow from Cisco UCS Director.Export Workflow
Clones selected workflows.Clone Workflow
Edits a selected workflow.Edit Workflow
Deletes a selected workflow.Delete Workflow
Opens the workflow designer for a selected workflow.Workflow Designer
Exports the selected workflow as a template.Export as Template
Executes the selected workflow.Execute Now
Schedules a workflow.Schedule
Locks a workflow to prevent anymodifications. Oncelocked, the workflow cannot be deleted or unlocked.
Lock/Unlock Workflow
Provides a full view button at the top, which displaysthe entire workflow in one window. To magnify aportion of the workflow move your cursor over aworkflow segment.
Workflow Designer Window (Full View)
The Workflow Designer viewing options are as follows:DescriptionName
Modifies existing workflow properties from withintheWorkflow Designer pane.
Edit Workflow Properties
Displays the workflow task list in compact view inorder to display a large number of tasks withouthaving to scroll through your display.
Compact View Mode
Formats the task icons within theWorkflowDesignerto a linear design.
Auto Layout
Checks if the tasks, their input mappings and theirconnections are valid or not.
Validate Workflow
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Understanding WorkflowsWorkflow Life Cycle Editing Actions
DescriptionName
Executes (runs) the existing workflow.Execute Now
Predefined TasksA predefined task is a specific action or operation that has inputs and outputs. Orchestrator uses severalpredefined tasks for compute, storage and network functions in both virtual and physical infrastructures. Thepredefined tasks can be grouped together and used as inputs to other pre-defined tasks.
DescriptionName
Executes a command in a secure shell (SSH) session.SSH Command task
Collects inventory collection task for availabledevices.
Collect Inventory task
Execute a script within a workflow.Execute Cloupia Script task
Notifies the specified URL.Notify URL task
Accessing Task Documentation
Step 1 On the menu bar, choose Policies > Orchestration.Step 2 Click the Task Library icon.Step 3 Check the Regenerate document check box to view a list of all new tasks and those by open automation.Step 4 Click Submit.
The orchestration task library appears. Click on an entry to see more information about specific inputs and outputs thatare available.
Predefined WorkflowsAn index of predefined workflows, written by Cisco engineering and support staff, is available for downloadin the Cisco Communities Forum. You can view, copy, and modify these workflows and use them inOrchestrator.
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Understanding WorkflowsPredefined Tasks
The workflows available on the Cisco Communities Forum are provided "as is," and in no event doesCisco warrant that the workflows are error free.
Note
View the Workflow Index at: https://communities.cisco.com/docs/DOC-56419.
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