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Table Of Contents
Plug-ins are composed of the following parts.
Plug-In Module
The plug-in itself, as defined by a collection of Java classes, a vso.xml file, and
packages of the workflows and actions that interact with the objects that you
access through the plug-in. The plug-in module is mandatory.
Plug-In Adapter
Defines the interface between the plugged-in technology and the Orchestrator
server. The adapter is the point of entry of the plug-in to the orchestration
platform. The adapter creates the plug-in factory, manages the loading and
unloading of the plug-in, and manages the events that occur on the objects in
the plugged-in technology. The plug-in adapter is mandatory.
Plug-In Factory
Defines how Orchestrator finds objects in the plugged-in technology and
performs operations on them. The adapter creates a factory for the client session
that opens between Orchestrator and a plugged-in technology. The factory
allows you either to share a session between all client connections or to open
one session per client connection. The plug-in factory is mandatory.
Configuration
You can add a tab to the Orchestrator configuration interface in which you can
configure the plug-in after you install it. For example, you can add a tab to the
Orchestrator configuration interface in which users provide information about
the environment in which the plugged-in technology is running. Orchestrator
does not define a standard way for the plug-in to store its configuration. You
can store configuration information by using Windows Registries, static
configuration files, storing information in a database, or in XML files. The plug-
in configuration tab is optional.
Finders
Interaction rules that define how Orchestrator locates and represents the
objects in the plugged-in technology. Finders retrieve objects from the network
of objects that the plugged-in technology exposes to Orchestrator. You define
in the vso.xml file the relations between objects to allow you to navigate
through the network of objects. Orchestrator represents the object model of the
plugged-in technology in the Inventory tab. Finders are mandatory if you want
to expose objects in the plugged-in technology to Orchestrator.
Scripting Objects
JavaScript object types that provide access to the objects, operations, and
attributes in the plugged-in technology. Scripting objects define how
Orchestrator accesses the object model of the plugged-in technology through
JavaScript. You map the classes and methods of the plugged-in technology to
JavaScript objects in the vso.xml file. You can access the JavaScript objects in
the Orchestrator scripting API and integrate them into Orchestrator scripted
tasks, actions, and workflows. Scripting objects are mandatory if you want to
add scripting types, classes, and methods to the Orchestrator JavaScript API.
Inventory
Instances of objects in the plugged-in technology that Orchestrator locates by
using finders appear in the Inventory view in the Orchestrator client. You can
perform operations on the objects in the inventory by running workflows on
them. The inventory is optional. You can create a plug-in that only adds
scripting types and classes to the Orchestrator JavaScript API and does not
expose any instances of objects in the inventory.
Events
Changes in the state of an object in the plugged-in technology. Orchestrator
can listen passively for events that occur in the plugged-in technology.
Orchestrator can also actively trigger events in the plugged-in technology.
Events are optional.
Chapter 7 Developing Plug-Ins
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