RG042 – RES AM Global variables explained
It’s always nice to see how a personal feature request finds its way to final release ;-). As most of us know, it is possible to use parameters in Automation Manager tasks. In this way we can make the job generic. When creating a Run Book or a project, it’s possible to link the same parameter to multiple tasks in multiple modules.
However, when you start working in multitenant environments such as OTAP, you would like to re-use the the same tasks over and over again, but with values specific to a given environment. This was somewhat possible previously, but the new “Global Variables” feature makes life easier from now on!
How it Works:
The values of Global Variables can be set up at Infrastructure > Datastore > Settings > Global Variables. These values are inherited by default by all Teams and Agents, but exceptions for individual Teams and Agents can be set up on the Team’s Team Variables tab and the Agent’s Agent Variables tab. Team Variables and Agent Variables allow “owners” of a specific Team or Agent to override the Global Variables by specifying a custom-value. This makes Variables especially useful for use in multitenant RES Automation Manager sites, because it makes it easier to manage different settings for different customers and assigned projects, and to exchange Modules, Projects and Run Books with other branches of an organization.
Example:
You could set up Global Variables to specify a Domain, Security Context and Domain Controller for usage in a task aimed at managing a computer in Active Directory. This would result in a generic Task that can be used by all console operators in your multitenant site. “Owners” of a specific Team or Agent at the customer site can then override the global values of these variables by specifying a custom-value that only applies to their site. When the Task is executed, the Task automatically gets the correct value that applies to the individual customer site. Depending on the hierarchy of these variables, these can be the global values, team-specific values or Agent-specific values.
Configuration rules:
Below are some things which you need to know when working with Global Variables in Automation Manager. Consider these the rules of engagement.
- Variables can be divided in categories. The category General is a default category and cannot be edited or removed.
- The name of a Variable or category must be unique in your RES Automation Manager site.
- When setting up Variables, you can use the following types:
- Credentials: this is a combination of domain\user name and password. Use this in a user name field for which there is also a password field, for example in the Security Context of a Task. The matching password field will be disabled, as this type of Variable will fill both. The password is always masked.
- Password: this is a password only. Use this in password fields that are not part of a set of credentials, for example for the password for a new local user. The value of this type of Variable is always masked. Its input must be entered twice for confirmation.
- Text: this is a text string of a single line. Use this in any field that needs to contain text, for example file name, Organizational Unit name, etc.
- The Global Variables apply to all Teams and Agents, but can be overridden by Team Variables or Agent Variables.
- Agents can use Agent-specific values, inherit these values from their primary Team, or inherit them from the Global Variables.
- Teams can use Team-specific values, or inherit them from the Global Variables. Nested Teams do not inherit their settings from the Team in which they are nested.
- Variables can only be added and deleted at Infrastructure > Datastore > Settings > Global Variables; not from the Team Variables tab of a Team or from the Agent Variables tab of an Agent.
- When a Variable is deleted, its value will no longer be resolved in the Tasks in which it is used, but becomes an actual value. For example, if you have used a Variable ^[CustomerName] in a field in a Task, and delete this Variable without changing its value in this Task, the actual value of the field becomes “^[CustomerName]“.
- To create and insert a Variable in a field of a Task automatically, right-click the relevant field in the Task, click Insert Variables and select the Variable. Variables are divided by category in the context menu.
RESguru | 
January 3, 2012 18:30
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By Patrick Kaak, January 30, 2012 @ 06:32
It’s probably good to know that Global Variables are only available in RES Automation Manager 2012 and up