Software library feature was introduced in Oracle Enterprise Manager (EM) version 10.2.0.1. Software Library serves as a repository to store certified software images (for example Oracle Database, operating system, Oracle Real Application Clusters, third party softwares, etc.) and other related entities (scripts, templates). These can then be utilized with the provisioning and patching process through Deployment Procedures.
Software Library can store the following types of entities:
Components: These entities represent the primary building blocks of the provisioning framework. A component can represent Operating system software, Oracle software or any third party software and applications.
Directives: These are constructs used to associate scripts with software components. These scripts contain directions on how to interpret and process the contents of a particular component. Directives encapsulate the script, the command line used to invoke the script, and the script configuration properties. Directives are contained within a file that are stored in the Software Library and referenced from the software components that employ them.
Images: Images can be described as a collection of components along with the necessary directives that create a deployable configuration, which can be provisioned on a single, or set of target machines.
Network Templates, Hardware Templates, Storage Templates: Network templates, Hardware templates and Storage templates are used to define the network, hardware and disk layout configuration of the target machines respectively. The template method ensures repeatability and flexibility. These entities are associated with the Bare Metal Provisioning application of the Oracle Enterprise Manager and are used to provision software on bare metal and live servers.
Software library entities can be individually maintained and upgraded with versions, states and maturity levels with the various functions available within. The picture below shows the options available for it :
The Software Library concept is the backbone for the various Provisioning and Patching features of the Enterprise Manager Provisioning Pack. The usage will be discussed in the upcoming articles on the features of the Enterprise Manager 10g R3 Provisioning Pack.
Read more about Using Software Library:
Look in the document list for - Oracle® Enterprise Manager Advanced Configuration 10g Release 3 (10.2.0.3.0) - Chapter 15: Using a Software Library.
