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Plugins overview
When creating component or global processes, use plugins to configure and run steps for your deployment, such as requests to application servers, build management tools, database and file management systems, and test automation tools.
About plugins
Deployment Automation plugins provide tools for creating component and global processes.
Plugins integrate many third-party tools into Deployment Automation, such as application servers and software configuration management products.
For a list of plugins available for Deployment Automation, see Supported plugins.
Plugins consist of configurable steps which can be thought of as distinct pieces of automation that enable you to create fully automated deployment processes. For example, the Tomcat and WebSphere plugins provide steps that start and stop those servers, install and uninstall applications, and perform other tool-specific tasks.
Each plugin step consists of:
| Properties | A set of properties serve many purposes, from providing information
for the step's command to supplying some or all of the actual command. When defining properties, you can also create hints. A hint enables you to add a comment to a step when you need to provide more details for other users. To view the comment, point to the step in the design space. |
| Command | A command performs the function associated with the step. |
| Post-processing script | A post-processing script helps ensure that expected results occur. After each step finishes processing, the system runs the step's default post-processing script. You can create and use your own scripts. For details, see Manage post-processing scripts. |
When you create a process, you drag steps onto the design space in the process designer, define their properties, and connect steps in a sequence. For details, see Create and design component processes.
You can set property values when designing a process or at runtime.
Plugins at runtime
Component processes are run by agents installed in the target environment. For a process to run successfully, the agent must have access to all resources, tools, and files required by the plugin steps used in the process.
When installing an agent, ensure the following:
- The agent running the process has the necessary user permissions to execute commands and access any required resources. This typically entails granting permissions if an external tool is installed as a different user, installing the agent as a service, or impersonating the appropriate user.
- Any external tools required by plugin steps are installed in the target environment.
- The required minimum version of any external tool is installed.
Get help for plugins
As you use plugins in processes, point to property fields or the details icon 
next to the fields to see a short description of each property.
If you require documentation for a plugin beyond that provided in the plugin itself and in the Deployment Automation documentation, check the Community website and the Knowledge Base.
For additional help, follow your usual Support procedures.
See also:
