Cloud SDK Overview
Overview
Cloud SDK is Workload Manager's SDK solution that enables you, our Cisco customers, to implement and use CloudCenter Suite functions on a cloud of your choice. This feature expands the Workload Manager functionality to be used on any cloud as you provide a metadata file that contains your custom cloud properties and a Docker image of your cloud implementation.
The following illustration identifies the components and tasks required to use this feature. Each cloud region has its own cloud blade. The Cloud SDK feature uses an external Cloud SDK API in the form of a Docker container to retrieve your custom cloud implementation.
Cloud Remote environments are also supported for Cloud SDK implementations.
Using this feature, end users can perform the following Workload Manager functions on a custom cloud type (sometimes, referred to as the cloud family) that has been created by developers using the metadata package that was created for a custom cloud implementation:
Add custom cloud types
Edit existing cloud types
Enable the custom cloud type so you can configure Workload Manager features on this cloud
Delete existing cloud types
Usage Scenarios
This section provides a API-based solution for the following scenarios:
Users who prefer to use clouds that are not currently supported by the CloudCenter Suite (see Virtual Appliance Overview for a list of supported clouds) and yet use Workload Manager for your custom cloud type.
Partners who want to add clouds specific to your customer environments and yet use Workload Manager features. In this case, you may prefer to write your own custom cloud type implementation that is specific to you and your customers.
Companies who are restricted by geographical boundaries and prefer to develop a multiple, customized, cloud implementations that use specific Workload Manager features within your own country.
Cloud providers or partners can also provide their requirements to Cisco and have us implement and execute the entire Cloud SDK solution for their environment! Contact your Cisco Account Manager, or a Cisco sales representative to start this process.
Audience
When selecting one of these scenarios, be aware of the following nuances which identifies other users who might also need to review this documentation:
CloudCenter Suite Root Administrator:
The image of your custom cloud is then used by the Workload Manager to upload a custom cloud type (a cloud family) within the Workload Manager.
Once you configure the custom cloud type in the Workload Manager, you can can begin using the Workload Manager features to extend the capabilities of your custom cloud.
The CloudCenter Suite uploads the metadata package and process the data.
Custom Cloud Administrator:
You must host the docker image in a location that is accessible by the Workload Manager.
The docker image has a URL that interacts with the custom cloud – this URL is used and accessed by the Workload Manager to create the custom cloud type.
You must create the metadata package in the % wm UI.
Custom Cloud Developer: The developer develops code based on the Cloud SDK API specifications and generates a Docker image of your custom cloud (represented by the Custom Cloud Implementation box in the above illustration).
Cloud SDK Implementer: Depending on your usage scenario, the same person can have multiple roles of being the developer, the cloud administrator, and the CloudCenter Suite root administrator.
Depending on your usage scenario from the list above, you can work with these users in your organization or you can ask contact your Cisco Account Manager, or a Cisco sales representative to start this process.
High Level Process Flow
The following steps list the high-level process flow to use the Cloud SDK feature.
Each step in this process is explained in the next few sections.
Workload Manager-Specific APIs
Several APIs are available in Workload Manager 5.2 to address the Cloud SDK feature. See the Workload Manager 5.2.0 Release Notes for additional details.