About server resources

A server resource in the console represents a host where you can run projects or steps.

As an administrator setting up the system: first, you create servers. You then create collectors that you can assign to servers. You run the collectors to populate the server manifests. After you complete those tasks, build engineers can create projects that use selectors to determine where project steps run.

Each server resource points to a host that has an agent installed on it. When you add a server resource, you are describing how the Management Console accesses and uses a specific host.

Before you create a server, make sure that the data objects that the server depends on already exist. Assign these items to a server:
Item Required or option Description
Server authentication Required Specifies the login name and password to use with the server.
Collector Optional Defines the properties the system collects from the server, in addition to default properties.
Environment Optional Specifies environment variables to be assigned whenever a project is run on the server.
Note: If desired, you can create more than one server object within the Management Console for a single physical server. These server objects are called logical servers. Logical servers are typically used so that projects can access the same hardware with different properties. For example, two logical servers might use different paths or different environments:
  • Two logical servers with different paths would create separate working directories on the same server. You can distinguish work that is performed using one server from work performed with another because all output is saved in different directories.
  • Two logical servers with different environments run their steps with different starting environment values.

About the Servers panel

Use the Servers panel to specify servers on which to run projects.

In the Management Console, to manage servers, click Servers in the left menu.

Screen image of the Servers panel

Details tab

The Details tab provides the following fields:

Host
The name of a host that is running the Rational Build Forge agent
Collector
The collector to use with the server
Environment
The environment to use with the server
Authentication
The server authentication (login and password) to use
Password Encryption
Determines whether the agent password is encrypted
Files
The types of file transfers to use with the .get and .put commands
Access
The access group of users who can use the server
SSL Enabled
Indicates whether you have configured the Rational Build Forge system to use SSL
Max Jobs
The most jobs that should run at the same time

Manifest tab

The Manifest tab shows various server properties. It provides a default set of properties. You can include additional properties by using a collector.

Test Results tab

The Test Results tab indicates the status of the last test of the connection between the Management Console and the server.

Notes tab

The Notes tab provides a convenient location for storing and sharing comments about a server.


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