Port/VLAN Configuration (IOS) - Workflow

Now that you have created a JSON Form and a Transformation (JST), you are ready to put things together in the workflow.

The use cases outlined within this section are intended to be completed on Itential's Trial infrastructure and lab. For more details about accessing this infrastructure and lab, please visit www.itential.com/get-started

Workflow Video - Part 1

Step 1

From the IAP Home page, click Automation Studio

Step 2

First, you will need to create a Workflow. Click the + at the top to open the Create window.

Step 3

Select Workflow in the What would you like to create dropdown. Name the workflow Lab - Port Turn Up - IOS - XX and select Gen 1 for your workflow.

Next, click CREATE. (XX represents your initials)

Step 4

A fresh workflow canvas opens. In this use-case, we would like to build our workflow horizontally, so we will click and drag the Termination tasks so they are aligned horizontally on our canvas.

Step 5

Add the Transformation task by entering Transformation into the Search box in the Task Palette.  The JSON Transformation task appears.  Click and drag the Transformation task to add it to the canvas between the Termination tasks.

Step 6

You will also need to add a child job task to the canvas. In the search box, enter childjob. This is used to add the Pre-Built to your automation.

Click and drag the Childjob task to the right of the Transformation task Move it to the right of the Transformation task in order for the workflow to present in a sequential fashion with the Transformation task first and the Childjob task after. The image demonstrates this order on the canvas. 

Step 7

The next step is to add transitions, which will connect the tasks together to form the workflow. This is done by first clicking the task you want to transition from, which will highlight the task with a dashed border. Click within the dashed border and begin dragging the transitions toward the destination task. When the transition snaps to the destination task, release the mouse button.

Note: The default transition is a (S) Success transition. If you would like to add an (E) Error or a (F) Failure transition, press and hold the E or the F key on your keyboard as you are adding a transition. 

Step 8

Complete the remaining transitions so that your workflow looks like the image shown.

Workflow Video - Part 2

Step 9

Next, you will need to configure the Transformation task. Double-click the Transformation task to configure it.

Step 10

Type your initials in the Transformation Name field and select the Transformation you created in Port Turn Up IOS - Transformations. The purpose of the Transformation is to extract the individual values submitted in the form. 

By changing the formData Variable Source of the Incoming Schema from Static to Job, we are configuring the Transformation task to source the data from the form inputs submitted to the workflow, rather than static inputs. 

Change Location for formData under Incoming Schema from Static to Job.

Step 11

The Itential Port Turn Up Pre-Built is an excellent example of a modular automation. It can be incorporated as a step in a larger automation very easily. We can incorporate modular automations through the use of child jobs. To configure the child job, double-click the Child Job task. 

To associate this child job task with the Port Turn Up - IOS workflow, enter port in the Workflow box to help with filtering and press enter. 

Scroll down until you find the workflow titled Port Turn Up - IOS and select it.

Step 12

The default variables appear below in the Job Variables section. The Variable Source for each job variable defaulted to Task with the Lab - Port Turn Up JST Transformation from the previous task selected.

Step 13

Notice the Task Variable for each Job Variable defaulted to autoApprove. go through and change each Task Variable to match the Job Variable it corresponds to.

Step 14

When the mapping is complete, each Task Variable should match its Job Variable. Close the Child Job task. 

Step 16

Click the SAVE icon followed by the ▶ icon.  In the Job Description window, click START.

Step 17

The Set Variables window opens, showing the variables the workflow requires to run. This workflow expects to receive one variable, formData, which will be passed in from Operations Manager, which will be covered in the next module.

The START button will run the workflow, but we are only testing it to confirm the inputs. Your view should match the image below.

Click the CANCEL button.