Softgrid: Understanding The Missing System Requirement

I write this as a Softgrid consultant, but what I write about is not unique to Softgrid. Hopefully the consultants reading this will nod along in understanding with a wry smile. For future Softgrid customers hopefully you can make your Softgrid experience a smoother one. 

Understanding

Softgrid is an application virtualisation technology. In the broadest sense we take an ordinary application, sequence it an produce a virtual application. Strictly speaking of course the application itself is not modified. It runs inside SystemGuard, it's configuration files have been parsed by the sequencer to work in this virtual environment.

So to enjoy the benefits of Softgrid you must sequence. To get yourself going you may employ the services of someone like myself (or even myself :D ) to get you started. I arrive on the day, you provide me with the following:

• Somewhere to work. A consultant needs a base of operation to work from!
• A machine to work from. It's fast and has lots of RAM. RAM is good.
• Coffee. A consultant without Coffee makes no sense.
• Installation documentation, media and some account to use to log into your systems.

Pleased that I have been given everything I could possibly need you leave me to my devices to begin the sequencing process.

I describe a scenario that is very likely, but exaggerated to make a point. The point I am about to make is a simple one.

In order to successfully install an application you must:

• Fully understand how to install the application.
• Fully understand how to run the application.
• Fully understand how to test the correct operation of the application.

There fore to successfully sequence an application you must:

• Fully understand how to install the application.
• Fully understand how to run the application.
• Fully understand how to test the correct operation of the application.

Similar eh?

Now review what you have provided your consultant:

• Somewhere to work. A consultant needs a base of operation to work from!

Definitely a requirement, but not one that addresses any of my points above.

• A machine to work from. It's fast and has lots of RAM. RAM is good.

Again, a requirement - but we are still no closer!

• Coffee. A consultant without Coffee makes no sense.

Coffee solves many problems, but sequencing is not one of them!

• Installation documentation, media and some account to use to log into your systems.

Ah hah! Documentation. Problem solved.

Documentation: The cause of, and solution to, life's problems

Your systems and applications are documented. Documented well in fact!

The issue however is not whether or not something is documented. The scope of the document and it's intended audience are often the problem. Many times I have been handed documentation for an application for it to fail by the first paragraph.

By failure I mean that I cannot proceed from say, step four to step five, because some sort of disconnect exists. As an external consultant I may have no prior experience with your applications - not unusual. Therefore if there is any disconnect at all I will encounter issue not related to Softgrid in the process of sequencing an application.

• Fully understand how to install the application.

Undocumented steps, pools of knowledge or assumed knowledge (by the author of the document) can hinder you.

• Fully understand how to run the application.

Nearly always undocumented. An application needs run a 'certain' way - this information has been passed on through email or word of mouth among the IT team.

• Fully understand how to test the correct operation of the application.

 Test logon accounts. Test Data. Expected results. Known errors. You'll be lucky if any of this is documented.

So, back to my original scenario. I've been left alone with a great machine, network access, strong coffee and some documentation. Will I be able to produce a sequenced app? Never mind that, would I be able to install the application natively?

Would you be able to do this?

Your IT staff would no doubt be able to do this, but anyone else. Probably not. This is what I mean about the scope of and audience of the documentation.

The Softgrid Answer

As part of a best practice deployment of Softgrid, you will produce Recipes. Recipes are a complete step by step guide to installing, running and testing the application.

Used correctly, Recipes can fill a void in many organisations. For each sequence you produce a recipe that anyone can follow and reproduce your sequence. Some will balk at the thought of the time spent on this documentation. From experience I can tell you that the overhead in minimal compared to clicking blindly in the dark, retracing your steps and modifying you sequence should something not be quite right.

Softricity have a template available online here. Mirror here.

What is required from the Customer?

The first thing I want to do with any application I have been asked to sequence will be to install the application normally, see how it is configured/run and used in everyday life. Telltale signs of when it is working, or not.

The Missing requirement therefore is access to people. This is more critical at the start of a sequencing project.

It would be very rare for a company to have the level of documentation needed for someone to come in and sequence without a question asked. Therefore before you embark on this particular adventure think about who the consultant may need to talk to during the sequencing process. If you know which applications you want to sequence you can work out when it would be useful for the consultant to have access to that resource.

The most successful Softgrid experiences have been those whereby these resources were made available. The end result is a better net throughput of applications sequenced in a given period of time, a better quality first attempt at the sequence, and more productive end user testing.

The net result is time saved, which when using external consultancy has a very direct and immediate return.

About the Author

James is currently employed by 4Sol Ltd. He achieved Softricity Certified Professional Status mid 2006. Over the past year he has been involved in a number of Softgrid projects - ranging from new installations and sequencing through to demos/POCs or general Softgrid training.

James can be contacted through the NIMTUG site or through 4sol.