IBM RAF: Create a Websphere Application Server restart project

I have been doing consulting work with IBM Rational Automation Framework (old WICA) for a few years now, but never posted anything on it. This is a very basic WAS restart project. The reason for using the Build Forge (BF) web interface and terminology vs. the RAF Client (Eclipse based) is that when building such projects you need to think about your end users. In this case, WAS system administrators, that have no RAF experience. The BF web interface is the appropriate tool for external customers, easy to access and use without having to install the RAF Client. The RAF Client has its strengths and limitations and in my opinion it should be used only by the experienced RAF developer or user.

1. Create RAF Project
1.1 Login into BF/RAF web interface
1.2 Go to Console tab and click on Projects.
1.3 Enter a Name for your project and click Save:

 

 1.4 Go to Console tab and click on Projects.

 1.5 Click on newly created FEP_SERVER_RESTART_DEMO

 1.6 Create a new Stop_Server step and click on Save Step: 

1.7 Create a new Start_Server step and click on Save Step:

1.8 Create a Server_Status step (Optional):

2. Create project Environment and add variables

2.1 Go to Console tab and click on Environments.

2.2 Create a new FEP_SERVER_RESTART_DEMO environment and click on Save Environment:

2.3 Under the Environments, click on the newly created FEP_SERVER_RESTART_DEMO

2.4 Create required variables (TARGET, TARGET_CELL, TARGET_NODE, TARGET_SERVER).

2.4.1 Select “Pulldown List” type and enter the variable name (i.e. TARGET), then click Save Variable:

2.4.2 Under the newly created TARGET variable click on the “Pulldown Options” tab and create a new option (i.e. DEV_WAS1 , this value must be to a RAF environment name). Click Create and then Save Variable.

2.4.3 Create the rest of the variables as on 2.4.1-2. (TARGET_CELL, TARGET_NODE, TARGET_SERVER). These will actually have the real WebSphere Application Server cell, node and server name.

2.4.4 Create the one more variable to include the RAFW_SERVER_ENV environment.

2.1.9.4.5 Your end result should look like this (probably different values):

                                                 

3. Associate Project with Environment

3.1 Go to Console tab and click on Projects.

3.2 Click on the “Edit this Project”  icon next to the project name FEP_SERVER_RESTART_DEMO

3.3 Add the FEP_SERVER_RESTART_DEMO unde the Environment drop down and click Save.

4. Modify Stop Server Step Behavior (optional)

NOTE: Sometimes the server that you are trying to restart might be already stopped, if you do not want your project to fail in that situation and you want to contoinue to run perform the following:

4.1 Go to Console tab and click on Projects.

4.2 Click on newly created FEP_SERVER_RESTART_DEMO

4.3 Click on the Stop_Server step to edit settings.

4.4 Modify the “On Fail” behavior to “Continue”.

5. Test run new project against the Sandbox WebSphere Application Server.

5.1 Go to Console tab and click on Projects.

5.2 Click on newly created FEP_SERVER_RESTART_DEMO

5.3 Click on the Start Project button

5.4 Select the appropriate values under the Project Environment section: