Chapter 1. New and Changed Information for this Release

New and Changed Information for this Release

Chapter 2. Overview

Audience

Cisco UCS Director SDK

Chapter 3. The REST API

Cisco UCS Director REST API

When to Use Cisco UCS Director REST API

Using Cisco UCS Director REST API

Chapter 4. Open Automation

Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

When to Use Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

Using Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

Chapter 5. Custom Tasks

Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

When to Use Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

Using Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

Chapter 6. Script Modules

Script Modules

When to Use Script Modules

Using Script Modules

Chapter 7. The PowerShell API

Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

When to Use Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

Using Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

Preface

Audience

Conventions

Related Documentation

Documentation Feedback

Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

Copyright Page

Chapter 1. New and Changed Information for this Release

- New and Changed Information for this Release

New and Changed Information for this Release

No significant changes were made to this guide for the current release.

Chapter 2. Overview

This chapter contains the following sections:

- Audience

- Cisco UCS Director SDK

Audience

This document is intended for technical professionals interested in using the Cisco UCS Director Software Development Kit (SDK) and related technologies. Such users might be:

- System and cloud administrators who use Cisco UCS Director and want to extend their ability to manage cloud resources using Cisco UCS Director.

- Third-party developers who want to build connectors to enable their devices to be managed by Cisco UCS Director.

- Anyone else who wants to compare Cisco UCS Director SDK or API technologies and determine which would be most appropriate for their application.

Cisco UCS Director SDK

The Cisco UCS Director SDK is a collection of technologies that enable you to extend the capabilities of Cisco UCS Director, access Cisco UCS Director data, and invoke Cisco UCS Director's automation and orchestration operations from any application. The Cisco UCS Director SDK includes the REST APIs and Open Automation. Scripting technologies include the Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API, custom tasks bundled in Cisco UCS Director script modules, and the ability to write your own custom tasks using CloupiaScript, a server-side JavaScript implementation.

With Cisco UCS Director SDK technologies, you can:

- Access Cisco UCS Director programmatically—Use the Cisco UCS Director REST API to invoke workflows and obtain reports.

- Customize Cisco UCS Director—Create custom workflow tasks. Customize Cisco UCS Director by deploying your own jar files and script libraries in script modules. Use custom tasks from script bundles.

- Extend Cisco UCS Director—Use Cisco UCS Director Open Automation to build connectors that support additional devices and systems. Use the Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API to connect to Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) and other PowerShell enabled devices.

This document describes each of these enabling technologies and their uses and tells you where to look for information about getting started. For each of the SDK technologies, this document describes the following:

- The basic concepts required to begin using the programmatic features of Cisco UCS Director.

- How and when to use which SDK components.

- What skills are required to use an interface.

- What computing resources are required to use an interface.

Chapter 3. The REST API

This chapter contains the following sections:

- Cisco UCS Director REST API

Cisco UCS Director REST API

Cisco UCS Director offers a REST API that enables applications to consume or manipulate the data stored in Cisco UCS Director. Cisco UCS Director REST API (hereafter, simply "the REST API") is a lightweight framework that requires little overhead for an application to use.

Applications use HTTP and HTTPS requests from the REST API to perform Create/Read/Update/Delete (CRUD) operations on Cisco UCS Director resources.

- When to Use Cisco UCS Director REST API

- Using Cisco UCS Director REST API

When to Use Cisco UCS Director REST API

Cisco UCS Director REST API is a language-independent interface that can be used by any program or script capable of making HTTP or HTTPS requests. Use the REST API when you want to invoke operations on Cisco UCS Director from a separate program or process.

Applications can use the REST API to do the following:

- Retrieve Cisco UCS Director reports on physical and virtual devices, networks, appliances, groups and users, policies, resource accounting, funds, and other monitored entities within your Cisco UCS domains.

- Invoke Cisco UCS Director Orchestrator workflow and task operations.

- Invoke additional operations specific to Cisco UCS Director.

Using Cisco UCS Director REST API

Because a REST API client interacts with Cisco UCS Director using standard HTTP or HTTPS requests and responses, the REST API responses are compatible with any web browser. Many programming languages have libraries devoted to creating and sending HTTP requests and handling HTTP responses.

Most of the REST API calls send and return data in the request or the response, respectively. These data payloads may be formatted in one of two ways depending on the REST API call. Some of the REST API calls use a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) payload, while others use an XML payload. You probably have to use both for any reasonably complex application.

A JSON-based REST API call is a plain HTTP request and response with a JSON payload. JSON is a lightweight text-based open standard designed for human-readable data interchange. JSON represents simple data structures and associative arrays. Your application directly invokes the JSON-based API without using any specialized REST API libraries, and parses JSON data using any means native to your application.

An XML-based REST API call is also an HTTP request and response, but requires that your application include the Cisco UCS Director REST API library jars and that your application use the API-defined JavaBeans (also called "plain old Java objects, or POJOs) in the REST payload. The API jars enable you to marshal and unmarshal the payload of the XML message to and from a Java object respectively.

Authorization in the REST API is enforced by requiring that only registered users of Cisco UCS Director are able to make API requests. When a user is created and registered on Cisco UCS Director, the user is assigned a unique REST API access key. This key must be provided in the HTTP or HTTPS request header when making an API call. The user then has access to the same data and operations via the REST API that it has in Cisco UCS Director.

For system requirements and information about how to set up a development environment, install libraries, and begin using the REST API, see the Cisco UCS Director REST API Getting Started Guide.

For annotated examples of using the REST API, see the Cisco UCS Director REST API Cookbook.

For a complete list of every Cisco UCS Director REST API function, see the Cisco UCS Director REST API URI Reference.

Chapter 4. Open Automation

This chapter contains the following sections:

- Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

Cisco UCS Director provides the Cisco UCS Director Open Automation module (hereafter, simply "Open Automation") to enable you to enhance the functionality of the Cisco UCS Director appliance.

Using Open Automation, you can add a module to Cisco UCS Director. The module adds a new capability to Cisco UCS Director, such as the ability to control a new device type or to generate a new type of report.

For more information about existing functionality in Cisco UCS Director, see the Cisco UCS Director Administration Guide, the Cisco UCS Director Application Container Guide, the Cisco UCS Director Orchestration Guide, and the numerous other guides that document functionality available using the Cisco UCS Director application.

For system requirements and information about how to set up a development environment, install libraries, and begin using the Open Automation SDK, see the Cisco UCS Director Open Automation Getting Started Guide.

For annotated examples of using the Open Automation SDK, see the Cisco UCS Director Open Automation Cookbook.

For a reference to the Cisco UCS Director Open Automation API, see the Cisco UCS Director API Javadoc.

- When to Use Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

- Using Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

When to Use Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

Open Automation is a Java SDK and framework for extending the functionality of Cisco UCS Director. Use Open Automation to enhance Cisco UCS Director in the following ways:

- Develop your own or third-party components with Cisco UCS Director.

- Develop tasks that can be used in workflows.

- Develop and schedule repeatable tasks.

- Inventory your devices.

- Develop your own Cisco UCS Director reports and report actions.

- Develop new Cisco UCS Director Cloudsense reports.

- Track changes made to the system through your module.

Using Cisco UCS Director Open Automation

A module is the topmost logical entry point into Cisco UCS Director. To add or extend any functionality, you must develop and deploy a module on Cisco UCS Director. A module developed using Open Automation behaves just as do any Cisco UCS Director built-in features or modules.

To develop and deploy a module, you:

- Create a module by extending the AbstractCloupiaModule class in the Open Automation Java API.

- Add forms, reports, workflow tasks, or other functionality to the module.

- If necessary, create new custom tasks by implementing task interfaces in the Java API.

- Package the module using a build tool such as Apache ANT or Apache Maven. An example ANT build file is provided with Open Automation to help you get started with module packaging.

- Deploy the package on Cisco UCS Director.

For system requirements and information about how to set up a development environment, install libraries, and begin using Cisco UCS Director Open Automation, see the Cisco UCS Director Open Automation Getting Started Guide.

For annotated examples of using Open Automation, see the Cisco UCS Director Open Automation Cookbook.

For a reference to Cisco UCS Director Open Automation classes and methods, see the Cisco UCS Director Open Automation Javadoc.

Chapter 5. Custom Tasks

This chapter contains the following sections:

- Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

Custom tasks enable developers to perform customized operations on Cisco UCS Director resources. You write custom tasks using CloupiaScript, a language similar to JavaScript. You then use your custom tasks like any other task, including them in workflows to orchestrate work on your systems.

Script bundles are collections of custom tasks that are included with each new Cisco UCS Director release for a variety of specific applications. You can download a script bundle and import the custom tasks into Cisco UCS Director.

In both cases the goal is the same: to expand the range of tasks available for use in orchestration workflows in Cisco UCS Director.

- When to Use Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

- Using Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

When to Use Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

Custom tasks and script bundles supplement the task library that comes with Cisco UCS Director. Use them when there is no existing task that implements the functionality you need.

When to Use Custom Tasks

Use custom tasks when you have a single operation or unit of work that will recur in your workflows, and there is no existing task that performs the operation.

When to Use Script Bundles

Script bundles are provided with every major release. It is worthwhile to investigate new script bundles to see if any of the new or enhanced tasks implement workflow functionality required by your organization.

Using Custom Tasks and Script Bundles

As with any other task, custom tasks and tasks included in script bundles are executed as part of a workflow.

How to Use Custom Tasks

You create custom tasks using a wizard in Cisco UCS Director. To create a custom task, you must supply:

- A name for the custom task.

- Inputs and outputs for the custom task.

- (Optional) Input Controllers, written in Cloupiascript.

- Cloupiascript instructions to do the work of the custom task.

For system requirements and information about how to set up a development environment, install libraries, and begin using CloupiaScript to write custom tasks, see the Cisco UCS Director Custom Task Getting Started Guide.

For examples of creating custom tasks, see the Cisco UCS Director Custom Task Cookbook.

For a reference to Cisco UCS Director Custom Task classes and methods, see the Cisco UCS Director Javadoc.

How to Use Script Bundles

To use the custom tasks in a script bundle, you simply download the script bundle and import custom tasks from the bundle.

To download a script bundle for the current release of Cisco UCS Director, go to Cisco DevNet.

For instructions on importing custom tasks from a script bundle, see Importing Workflows in the Cisco UCS Director Orchestration Guide.

Chapter 6. Script Modules

This chapter contains the following sections:

- Script Modules

Script Modules

Script modules are used to integrate third-party jars and custom libraries with Cisco UCS Director to perform specific operations. Some script module operations are already defined in Cisco UCS Director, including:

- Creating advanced controls to collect user input in workflows, including tabular reports and lists of values (LOVs).

- Context workflow mapping, which enables you to attach workflows to custom actions in a report in Cisco UCS Director.

For more examples of script module use, see the Cisco UCS Director Orchestration Guide.

- When to Use Script Modules

- Using Script Modules

When to Use Script Modules

Use a script module when you want to create custom functionality that can be used in custom workflow tasks or added to Cisco UCS Director. Script modules can be exported and re-used in different instances of Cisco UCS Director.

Using Script Modules

You create script modules in Cisco UCS Director. You can then call the script module's libraries and methods from custom tasks.

You can import and export script modules along with worflows, custom tasks, and activities in Cisco UCS Director using the Import and Export actions respectively in the Policies > Orchestration > Workflows tab.

See the Cisco UCS Director Orchestration GuideCisco UCS Director Orchestration Guide for how to create a script module and add libraries and jar files to the script module.

See the Cisco UCS Director Custom Task Getting Started Guide for information about using script modules in custom tasks.

Note

Despite similar names, script modules and script bundles are very different things. Script bundles are packaged collections of workflow tasks that are released with Cisco UCS Director. Script modules are a mechanism for you to add custom functionality to the Cisco UCS Director UI.

Chapter 7. The PowerShell API

This chapter contains the following sections:

- Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

The Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API enables you to control Microsoft PowerShell enabled devices from Cisco UCS Director. Microsoft Windows PowerShell is a task-based command-line shell and scripting language available on Microsoft servers and usable with Microsoft management systems such as System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM).

The Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API includes the Cisco UCS Director PowerShell Agent, a process that runs separately from Cisco UCS Director. The Cisco UCS Director PowerShell Agent forwards commands from Cisco UCS Director to Microsoft devices.

- When to Use Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

- Using Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

When to Use Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

Use the Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API to integrate Microsoft devices into Cisco UCS Director.

Using Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API

You invoke PowerShell scripts on Windows devices from Cisco UCS Director via a PowerShell Agent. The PowerShell Agent is a separate process that facilitates communication between the PowerShell device and Cisco UCS Director.

For information about how to set up a Cisco UCS Director PowerShell Agent, see the Cisco UCS Director PowerShell Agent Installation and Configuration Guide.

For an introduction to the Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API, see the Cisco UCS Director PowerShell API Getting Started Guide.

Preface

- Audience

- Conventions

- Related Documentation

- Documentation Feedback

- Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

Audience

This guide is intended primarily for data center administrators who use Cisco UCS Director and who have responsibilities and expertise in one or more of the following:

- Server administration

- Storage administration

- Network administration

- Network security

- Virtualization and virtual machines

Conventions

Text Type

Indication

GUI elements

GUI elements such as tab titles, area names, and field labels appear in this font.

Main titles such as window, dialog box, and wizard titles appear in this font.

Document titles

Document titles appear in this font.

TUI elements

In a Text-based User Interface, text the system displays appears in this font.

System output

Terminal sessions and information that the system displays appear in this font.

CLI commands

CLI command keywords appear in this font.

Variables in a CLI command appear in this font.

[ ]

Elements in square brackets are optional.

{x | y | z}

Required alternative keywords are grouped in braces and separated by vertical bars.

[x | y | z]

Optional alternative keywords are grouped in brackets and separated by vertical bars.

string

A nonquoted set of characters. Do not use quotation marks around the string or the string will include the quotation marks.

< >

Nonprinting characters such as passwords are in angle brackets.

[ ]

Default responses to system prompts are in square brackets.

!, #

An exclamation point (!) or a pound sign (#) at the beginning of a line of code indicates a comment line.

Note

Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to material not covered in the document.

Caution

Means reader be careful. In this situation, you might perform an action that could result in equipment damage or loss of data.

Tip

Means the following information will help you solve a problem. The tips information might not be troubleshooting or even an action, but could be useful information, similar to a Timesaver.

Timesaver

Means the described action saves time. You can save time by performing the action described in the paragraph.

Warning

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of each warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Related Documentation

Cisco UCS Director Documentation Roadmap

For a complete list of Cisco UCS Director documentation, see the Cisco UCS Director Documentation Roadmap available at the following URL: Click Here .

Cisco UCS Documentation Roadmaps

For a complete list of all B-Series documentation, see the Cisco UCS B-Series Servers Documentation Roadmap available at the following URL: Click Here .

For a complete list of all C-Series documentation, see the Cisco UCS C-Series Servers Documentation Roadmap available at the following URL: Click Here .

Note

The Cisco UCS B-Series Servers Documentation Roadmap includes links to documentation for Cisco UCS Manager and Cisco UCS Central. The Cisco UCS C-Series Servers Documentation Roadmap includes links to documentation for Cisco Integrated Management Controller.

Documentation Feedback

To provide technical feedback on this document, or to report an error or omission, please send your comments to ucs-director-docfeedback@cisco.com. We appreciate your feedback.

Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

For information on obtaining documentation, using the Cisco Bug Search Tool (BST), submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see What's New in Cisco Product Documentation.

To receive new and revised Cisco technical content directly to your desktop, you can subscribe to the What's New in Cisco Product Documentation RSS feed. RSS feeds are a free service.

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