Modifying the Blueprint Screen

[wwsj1967]

Is there any way to modify the blueprint screen?  I would like to change the order in which default items appear, edit network information, add tabs so it logically looks like a user tab, cost center tab, vm information tab and a vm tab where memory and storage is specified.

Thanks

Bill

[SeanKohler]

In ASD you can. sbeaver has built out full machine request forms in ASD.  Cool stuff.

There are probably some hacks to backend files that would allow you to do some things with the defaults for Machine Blueprints.  They would be overwritten with upgrades more than likely.  It is not a very good road to go down, IMHO.

Edit:  Actually it was the other Steve.    (https://communities.vmware.com/thread/499550)

[wwsj1967]

Yeah that is some of my concern as well. The problem I have is multiple.  I have upwards of a hundred VLANs.  I can create the relationship so that if the customer picks a GREEN VLAN, then a list of IP subnects will pop up.  I need to assign an IP address from that subnet.  I also have three fields in which I need to take 1 - 3 characters and combine them into a custom name (appended by the numbering scheme).  I just don't know what the best way is to address these issues.

[sbeaver]

Actually he did have the right Steve on using ASD for the final presentation to the enduser .  What you are looking to do, you will be able to accomplish a great amount with the Presenation tab inside Orchestrator.  I found the XML relationships did not quite do as much as I would have hoped and have had great success using custom actions to do the same as the XML relationships and so much much more.  Most all of my logic is now custom VCO actions

[sbeaver]

I also have three fields in which I need to take 1 - 3 characters and combine them into a custom name (appended by the numbering scheme).  -- I used this for my custom hostname as a base - http://dailyhypervisor.com/vcloud-automation-center-vcac-5-2-custom-hostnaming-extension/

This gives me the prefix of the hostname that I use to make the call to the DNS/IP system to find out the next available number for that prefix and then reserve the IP and DNS with that full name

[SeanKohler]

I had the other Steve there first... so you are the right Steve

Quick side question(s): Are you leveraging mostly the Presentation capabilities or have you started also using the 6.2 ASD External action calls?  I am in a debate which one makes better sense to use... and I have hit some limitations with some vRO actions that do not pass into the ASD form.  Plus "onload" DEFAULT doesn't work for form data in ASD when using vRO presentation capabilities.  The form loads blank (even though a default is specified) and then the user picks something and then the form reloads. Annoying behavior.

[sbeaver]

I have seen that also and have found that is the "default " was not working properly in VCO that it I could set the "default inside the ASD form configuration inside vCAC.  I have yet to come across something that could not be set one way or another in either of those two places.  I also have some "actions" that are performing some validation that would pop open a read only area to signal if the request would have to get approved as part of the process as well as defining the VM size for billing and CMDB entry.  Some things I could not quite get right in VCO and just moved it to the vCAC form designer when needed.

Yes it is kinda a pain but I have not really hit any roadblocks yet that I have not been able to overcome and the power from the ASD was well worth the extra work

6.2 ASD External action calls?  Have not gotten to that yet to be honest

[SeanKohler]

Thanks...

>>6.2 ASD External action calls?  Have not gotten to that yet to be honest

You aren't missing much if you have everything working.  It is the same thing as the OGNL vRO action calls but vRA calls the action directly supplying the input and accepting the return.  In the one case where I had to do this... I did it both on the vRO end (so it showed up properly in the presentation when run from vRO) and on the ASD end.  I am trying to continue to do as much as possible out of vRO presentation.  I am hoping they do not sunset that capability.  (built quite a few actions out of it)

[sbeaver]

(built quite a few actions out of it)  You and me both, I am just a man of action

[SeanKohler]

Lol...  understatement of the year!

[wwsj1967]

I have downloaded and imported the custom naming extension however it does not pick up the VCAC name so it just stops.  I am using the integrated appliance that came with vRO 6.2, not sure exactly what the problem is.

[sbeaver]

I am running the same versions as you and it works like a champ for me.  Did you follow all the instructions and run all the workflows to configure?  Are you using the building stub?  Did you define the variables {bu}?

[wwsj1967]

1. Download com.dailyhypervisor.vcac.customhostname.package from the link above and copy it onto the local filesystem of the system where you will run the vCenter Orchestrator client. - Done.  I downloaded it to my local system.
2. Import com.dailyhypervisor.vcac.customhostname.package into your vCO instance. - Done.  I imported with no issues.
3. Run the workflow Daily Hypervisor > vCAC > Custom Hostname > Install custom hostname extension.
4. 
6. I run the Install Custom Hostname Extention and get this...
7. 
9. I can't get past this point. 
12. Choose the vCAC host where you’d like to install the extension and click Submit.
13. Follow the instructions described by the workflow to download and install the external workflow XML file into vCAC.

[sbeaver]

Ok looks like you do not have the vCAC plugin configured.  Goto the Workflows view on the vCO client and navigate to Library --> vCloud Automation Center --> Configuration --> run these two workflows  "Add a vCAC host" and "Add the IaaS host of a vCAC Host"

you can also look into Add a vCAC host using component registry at some point but for now lets just get you connected.  When you are done you should be able to see the servers listed in the inventory view under vCAC Infrastructure Administration as well as vCloud Automation Center.

Steve

[wwsj1967]

Looks like I have larger issues.  I was able to add the VCAC host, but when I run the "Add IaaS Server" script it doesn't see the host I added.  I think I need to open a VMware ticket.

[sbeaver]

Which version or build number of the vCAC plugin do you have installed?

[wwsj1967]

This is the vRO that came with vRealize 6.2.  We simply used the built in orchestrator.

[sbeaver]

I was looking for the plugin version.  If you would please be so kind as to log into the appliance configuration https://vco:8283 and goto the plugins tab where you will find the plugin info.  On my vco server the value are as follows

vCAC Infrastructure Administration 6.2.1.2423478

vCloud Automation Center 6.2.1.2442325

If you do not get the logon screen when you try to connect you will need to start the configurator service via SSH  "service vco-configurator start"   In the embedded version, this service is not set to start automatically

[wwsj1967]

Sorry

vCAC Infrastructure Administration 6.2.0.2210392

vCloud Automation Center 6.2.0.2246705

[sbeaver]

There is a newer version of the plugin available that you should download and upgrade the plugin you have in place now.  VMware vCenter Orchestrator Plug-In for vCloud Automation Center Release Notes

https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=VRO_VRA_PLUGIN_621&productId=469

I believe this should resolve your issues