Rational Automation Framework
Rational Automation Framework is a computer software product in the increasingly important Application release automation category,[1][2] providing automation for middleware installation, middleware management, middleware operations, and application deployment.
Developer(s) | Rational Software |
---|---|
Stable release | 3.0
/ 30 March 2012 |
Written in | Java |
Operating system | UNIX, Linux, z/Linux, Microsoft Windows, Solaris (operating system) |
Available in | English |
Type | Application release automation |
License | IBM EULA |
Website | ibm |
The product was initially released in May 2009 as IBM Rational Automation Framework for WebSphere,[3] based on technology developed by Ascendant Technology.[4] With release 3.0 in 2012, IBM generalized the name of the product to IBM Rational Automation Framework to recognize the work done by MidVision to extend the functionality to products other than those from WebSphere.[5]
Architecture
The Rational Automation Framework software runs on a framework server, where it maintains configuration information that corresponds to product installations on one or more target systems. Target systems can be physical, virtualized, or in the cloud and can act as source systems, destination systems, or both. The product runs actions, actually elements within Apache Ant build files, to:
- Update the framework server configuration data from a target system, or vice versa
- Install or update custom applications and application artifacts
- Compare framework server configuration data with live data
- Start, stop, or restart managed product instances
- Install or patch managed products
The product uses an automation engine to automate any of those tasks.[6]
PureApplication System
IBM PureApplication System contains the Rational Automation Framework functionality in the form of a workload named Advanced Middleware Configuration. Advanced Middleware Configuration is typically used in this context for onboarding existing applications to the cloud.[7]
References
- "Application Release Automation Is a Key to DevOps | 1773923". Gartner.com. 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
- http://www.hurwitz.com/index.php/recent-research/cloud-computing/doc_download/126-demonstrated-benefits-of-software-delivery-automation--an-analyst-study%5B%5D
- Burt, Jeffrey (April 30, 2009). "IBM Bridges SOA, Cloud Computing". eWeek. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- "Rational Automation Framework for WebSphere (RAFW)". Ascendant Technology. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- "MidVision Extensions to IBM RAF". MidVision. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- "IBM product site". Ibm.com. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
- IBM DeveloperWorks