Problem with PropertyCollecter...should I even be using it?

[pgg99]

Hi all!

I am having a little difficulty understanding the object model for web services. My aim is to get hold of a VirtualMachineConfigInfo object and a ServiceInstance object for the VM I am running on.

I have successfully retrieved a ServiceInstance object, got a MOR for SessionManager and logged in.

I know my IP address so I then perform a SearchIndex-FindByIp to get a MOR for my vm. This is what I get back.

<FindByIpResponse xmlns="urn:vim25"><returnval type="VirtualMachine">vm-966</returnval></FindByIpResponse>

I am guessing I need to use PropertyCollector - RetrieveProperties method.

1. Is this correct or should I be using something else?

If I should use the PropertyCollector - RetrieveProperties method, I have no clue what to specify in the propSet part of the PropertyFilterSpec to get the information I require. It says it can be NULL so I leave it NULL.

2. Can anyone provide any advice?

Anyway, this is what I am sending:

<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/"><soapenv:Body><n:RetrieveProperties xmlns:n="urn:vim25"><n:_this type="PropertyCollector">PropertyCollector</n:_this><n:specSet><n:propSet></n:propSet><n:objectSet><n:obj type="VirtualMachine">vm-966</n:obj><n:skip>false</n:skip></n:objectSet></n:specSet></n:RetrieveProperties></soapenv:Body></soapenv:Envelope>

and I receive:

<soapenv:Body>

<soapenv:Fault><faultcode>ServerFaultCode</faultcode><faultstring>Not initialized: vmodl.TypeName type</faultstring><detail><InvalidRequestFault xmlns="urn:vim25" xsi:type="InvalidRequest"></InvalidRequestFault></detail></soapenv:Fault>

</soapenv:Body>

Any help is appreciated!

Peter

[pgg99]

Hi team,

I actually found a Java sample program that showed how to set up the request! Not sure if it is just me, but the doc could be clearer!

Cheers,

Peter

[Steve_Jin]

My recent two blogs may help you to understand the object model and propertycollector:

Steve JIN

Author of VMware VI and vSphere SDK (Prentice Hall)

Creator of open source vSphere (VI) Java API(Tutorial, Testimonials, Download, Samples)

Blog: DoubleCloud.ORG ( Top 10 Best Practices,[Common Mistakes|http://www.doublecloud.org/2010/01/31/common-mistakes-using-vmware-vi-and-vsphere-sdk/], Tiny REST API)

[pgg99]

Wow! Thanks for that.....wish I had this link a few weeks ago....

Thanks again.

Peter