Creating an efficient Service Catalog presents a number of challenges, including providing all needed services without increasing the catalog size to the point where it’s difficult for users to locate what they need. One way you can address this issue is to provide a base image of an operating system, and empower users to customize the deployed VMs using single-click commands in the Service Portal.


This article demonstrates the end-to-end configuration of a such a service. Following the procedures below, you can add a default install of Windows 2008 R2, which portal users can customize by installing Microsoft’s Internet Information Services web server.


Create the Default Windows 2008 R2 Service

When you offer baseline templates and permit users to customize them with Command Workflows, it’s a good idea to include an indication of whether a service is generic or customized within the catalog. You have several options for doing so, including the use of service descriptions, categories, and icons. Follow the procedure below to create a such a service.

  1. Login to vCommander as superuser and browse to Configuration > Service Request Configuration.
  2. Switch to the Service Catalog tab.
  3. Click Add.
  4. On the Service Description page add a meaningful Name and Description.

  5. Choose a relevant icon from those available.If you wish to add a new icon to further distinguish the generic service from others in the catalog, click Manage Icons. From the management dialog, click Add and choose an icon from your local computer. and click Open. Click OK.
  6. Choose one or more relevant categories from those available.If you wish to add new categories, click Manage Categories. Enter the category name and click Add. Repeat until you have all the desired entries, then click OK.
  7. Complete the wizard as normal. Make sure you select as components that are pristine default installs of the operating system.
 

Create the Add Role – IIS Command Workflow

The next activity is to create a Command Workflow which can be used as a command on the Service Portal. This will provide the one-click experience to customization. Download the required script file here.

  1. Browse to Configuration > Command Workflows. Click Add.
  2. Enter a Name such as Add Role – IIS.
  3. Choose a relevant icon from those available.If you wish to add a new icon to further distinguish the command from others available, click Manage Icons. From the management dialog, click Add and choose an icon from your local computer. and click Open. Click Close.

  4. Click Next.
  5. Click Add and choose Guest OS > Run Program.
  6. Choose Credentials with permission to add a role to the deployed VMs. If no suitable permissions are listed, click Add Credentials to enter account details you know will succeed.
  7. Enter the command line:
    C:\windows\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\PowerShell.exe &"C:\scripts\InstallIIS.ps1"

     

  8. Click Next.
  9. On the Permissions page, choose Allow these specific users/groups to access this workflow and use the controls to provide access to appropriate users, groups or organizations. Otherwise, leave Allow everyone to access this workflow. 
  10. Check Prompt user for confirmation before running this workflow and Display this workflow as a command for users with permission on the Service Portal command bar. Click Next.
  11. On the Summary page, review your choices and click Finish.
 

Using the Command Workflow

In order to access the Command Workflow as a command in the Service Portal, the portal user’s role must include the permission Run Command Workflows.


 Users with this permission will see the Command workflow as a command in the portal.