Workflow Soluiton

In our ultimate quest for our self-provisioning solution we have installed and configured an Altiris Notification Server on our server. Now the next step would be to install the Workflow Solution. The Workflow Solution is our ultimate tool to build workflows that will enable us to let users select some tasks that will be automatically performed by the Workflow Solution.

In our case we want to use it to let the teachers in the classroom, our customer uses, select software that is needed for the training they need to give.

The classrooms are deleted every Friday and every Monday morning this task has to be done.

Now it takes some time and is quite difficult. If the teacher forgets something the helpdesk is needed to get the functionality in the classroom. The Workflow will enable a teacher to add or delete software, as he or she will when he wants to or needs to.

After the Notification Server is installed we are going to install and configure the Workflow Solution.

Before the Workflow Solution is installed we have to install some other applications also that are needed for the Workflow Solution.

Make sure you followed the steps in the previous article to download and install all the software for Altiris Client Management Solution 2.

The various components are necessary for the further working of Workflow.

Also we need to have several prerequisites before we can start the process.

The prerequisites for installing Workflow Solution are as follows:

• Notification Server 6.0 SP3 R5
• Altiris Software Development Kit (ASDK) 1.4
• CMDB 6.5 and Asset Management 6.5
• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0
• Microsoft IIS 5.x and higher for deployment of projects

All the software that we will install can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.altiris.com/Download.aspx

Step 1: Install the Altiris ASDK 1.4

First we have to install the Altiris ASDK 1.4 (Altiris_ASDK_1_4.exe)

Double click on the executable to start the installation.

Click Next to continue in the Welcome screen.

Then you have to agree with the license agreement and click Next to continue.

Click to view.

Select the location where you like to install the Altiris ASDK and click Next to continue.

Click to view.

When you install the Altiris ASDK for Workflow Solution you have to select all the options. This will ensure a full install. Workflow needs all these components. Click Next to continue.

After clicking again the Next button the installation will start and all the selected components will be configured. When everything is finished you have to click finish to end the installation.

Step 2: Install the Altiris Layer Service 6.0.1060.

The second step in our process is to install the Altiris Layer Service (Altiris_Service_6_0_1060.exe)

Double click on the executable to start the installation.

First you will see the Welcome screen. Click Next to continue. Then you see the license agreement screen. Select agree with the license agreement and click Next. Then click Next again. The installation will now be performed. After the installation is ready, you have to click finish to close the screen.

Step 3: Install and configure Workflow Solution.

Download the Workflow Solution from the Symantec website.

Now double click the executable to start the installation. The software is extracted from the executable and we will get the Welcome screen.

Click Next to go to the license agreement and accept it. Then click Next again.

The currently downloaded software will now say ready to install. This is not the proper way normally. When you select back you are able to choose another installation path. In my case it doesn't matter because I install it in the default folder, but this will help you choose another installation path.

Click Next to start the installation.

When the installation is finished you have to click Finish.

The installation is very straight forward.

Another way is to install the Workflow Solution through the Notification Server. Because the Notification Server will take all software from Solution SAM this ensures you have the correct version.

Go in Notification Server to the Configuration tab. Then select Configuration and Upgrade, Install Additional Solutions.

In the Available Solutions pane select Solutions.

Then select Altiris Workflow Solution and follow the instructions as outlined above.

Now we have installed and configured our Workflow Solution.

Still we cannot build Workflows. For building Workflows we need the Workflow Designer. That will help us build the Workflows and we can start using them.

Quote from the admin guide:

There are four component generators available with Altiris Workflow Solution: ASDK, Task, Report, and Resource. Each component generator is an Integration project, created through Workflow Designer, which builds or rebuilds Altiris components available by corresponding to its named counterpart. Example: the Task generator builds Task oriented components.

Any modifications to the ASDK methods or web services, Resources, Reports, or Tasks on the Notification Server need to be reflected within the components for any workflow using this functionality. Example: If a new task instance is created in Notification Server, the new component will not be available to a workflow until the Task Generator is built or rebuilt.

1. Resource Generator - The Resource Generator is run during installation and gathers all resources available on Notification Server. A resource is usually a tangible item, like a computer, telephone, or printer, and has data and associations to other resources on Notification Server. Resources are managed in Notification Server, and any components generated will need to be regenerated in order to reflect changes from Notification Server.
2. Task Generator - The Task Generator is run after installation by the workflow developer and gathers all tasks available on Notification Server. A task is a series of actions taken on a resource or a collection of resources. Tasks are managed in Notification Server, and like resources, any component generated will need to be regenerated in order to reflect changes from Notification Server.
3. Report Generator - The Report Generator is run after installation by the workflow developer and gathers all reports available in Notification Server. For every report available, one component is created. Each report component represents a SQL query that retrieves and stores structured data back in a collection within a workflow.
4. ASDK Generator - The ASDK Generator is run after installation by the workflow developer and creates components out of ASDK method calls. ASDK methods change less frequently than task and resources change on the Notification Server. However, like other components, any changes to an ASDK method contained within a component requires the components to be regenerated.

In the next chapter we going to install the Workflow Designer and then we are ready to perform all the steps mentioned.

Then we are also going to build our workflows and I will guide you through the first steps into your workflow.