ibm connections demo assistant
DESCRIPTION
The IBM Connections Demo Assistant is a data population tool for IBM Connections. By using this tool, you will be able to quickly and easily add demo data to your server for your next meeting, demo, or Proof-of-Concept.TRANSCRIPT
© 2014 IBM Corporation
IBM Connections Demo Assistant
Author: Paul GodbyIBM Ecosystem DevelopmentDuration: 15 minutes
Agenda
● Overview● XML Input Files● Configuration● Execution● Demo
Typical Demo Scenario
● Obtain an IBM Connections server instance● Request a SoftLayer device● Request / Download Showcase servers● Create a local VMware image● Etc...
● Log in to IBM Connections and realize there's no data!● Begin logging in multiple users and creating demo data
● This could take hours (or even days!)● Repeat the same process for each demo
IBM Connections Demo Assistant
● A data population tool for IBM Connections● Data supplied via XML files● Simple configuration via a properties file● Can be executed from any machine that can access IBM Connections via HTTP● Uses IBM Connections REST and OpenSocial APIs to create demo data
● Benefits● Fill your IBM Connections server instance with demo data...with a single command!● Create your demo data in minutes, as opposed to hours (or even days)!● Reuse XML data files to reproduce data set across multiple environments● Spend more time preparing for the live demo / customer
Agenda
● Overview● XML Input Files● Configuration● Execution● Demo
XML Input Files
● Data is supplied in the form of XML input files● You can create the following types of demo data in IBM Connections
● Activity Streams: events and microblogs● Activities: activities, sections, entries, and todos● Blogs: blogs, blog posts● Bookmarks: bookmarks● Communities: data for (most) embedded apps, subcommunities● Files: files, folders● Forums: forums, topics, replies● Profiles: network invitations● Wikis: wikis, pages
● For some of the data, you may also add: comments, likes, members, etc.● For a full list of supported features / data, consult the included file: icda.xml● More features will be added over time!
Authors
● ICDA uses REST and OpenSocial APIs that require HTTP Basic Authentication● Must supply username / password for any demo user that will be creating data
● For the data sections of the XML file, you reference the UID attribute of the author● The tool will retrieve the username / password from the authors section and
subsequently create the provided data for that particular demo user
Data Example: Activity
Files
● Upload files into IBM Connections by placing the file in the files subdirectory● Supply the appropriate data via XML
● The tool will check for the existence of the file in the files subdirectory● If found: will upload the supplied file● If NOT found: will create an empty file, with the given name, and then upload
● If you only intend to show one file in your demo, put it in the files subdirectory● Create the illusion of lots of files in Connections via extra XML entries
Agenda
● Overview● XML Input Files● Configuration● Execution● Demo
Update the supplied properties file
● Settings contained in file named: icda.properties
Delete Content
● When the tool starts, it will check the supplied delete flags in icda.properties● If a valid author (from the XML input file) is found, ALL content of that type will be
deleted for the specified user (not just the content created by ICDA!)● Useful for:
● Resetting the server between demos● Testing new XML input files
● This is an Optional configuration!● If you do not want to delete content, leave these flags blank (or comment out)
Agenda
● Overview● XML Input Files● Configuration● Execution● Demo
Using the tool
● This is a command-line driven tool● Configuration supplied via icda.properties● Data supplied via XML input file
● Tool may be executed from any machine that can access IBM Connections via HTTP● Does not need to reside on the server
● Requirements● A Java Runtime Environment (1.6+)
● From a command-line:
java -jar ICDA.jar
OR, if no environment variables are set, provide the full path to the JRE...
/opt/IBM/WebSphere/AppServer/java/jre/bin/java -jar ICDA.jar
Agenda
● Overview● XML Input Files● Configuration● Execution● Demo
Things you should know...
● This is NOT an official IBM tool!● No official support● Use at your own risk
● This tool is intended for demos / PoCs only!● Should not be used in a live production environment
● Can be found in a wiki in from one of the Connections deployments● Installation, configuration, and execution instructions● XML Input file overview● Troubleshooting● Feedback
● IBM Internal: ● https://w3-connections.ibm.com/wikis/home?lang=en-us#!/wiki/ICS%20Demo%20Tools
● IBM External:● https://greenhouse.lotus.com/wikis/home?lang=en-us#!/wiki/ICS%20Demo%20Tools
Thanks!
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