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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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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