ControlTier Tutorials
The ControlTier tools are useful individually, but the real value lies in using them as building blocks to create automation solutions. How you use them depends on what you are trying to accomplish and what level of granualrity you want your solution to have.
First, read about how the tools form an integrated platform and get an overview of the overall architecture .
Second, you'll want to pick your implementation strategy. The main decision points for each strategy are outlined below.
Strategy #1: Package Management + Calling Scripts Already On Servers
- Manage and install packages of any type (optional)
- Post-install control of your applications by dispatching calls to existing scripts or system tools
- Allows use of JobCenter web interface and captures activity in ReportCenter, but commands are not managed as formalized modules
- Requires minimal setup (client only needed on target nodes if you are using package managmenet utilities)
Relevant tutorials:
Calling existing scripts that are already on servers
Strategy #2: Package Management + Application Utilities to Control Applications
- Manage and install packages of any type (optional)
- Packages your scripts in to formal management modules, making it easier to maintain and distribute your automation
- Create workflows that move procedures out of online docs and into reusable code
- Enables finer grained control
Relevant tutorials:
Creating utilities for controlling your applications
Strategy #3: Integrated Service Management
- Enables managing applications in logical collections or environment slices
- Ties installation of artifacts and management the resulting services into one controller
- Allows fine grain management and more sophisticated workflows/ordering
- Encourages maximum felxibility and resuability
Relevant tutorials:
Connecting your build processes to your deployment processes
Example of enterprise-scale service management (Duke's Bank demo project)