Use the DataPower appliance manager

The DataPower appliance manager automatically starts if we issue a request to the DataPower appliance manager and it is not already started. We can initiate a request using the wsadmin tool, or by selecting any of the administrative console pages that allow us to view or change settings for DataPower appliances, firmware, or managed sets, or the administrative console page used to monitor DataPower appliance manager tasks. The appliance manager also automatically starts when the deployment manager starts if there are any DataPower appliances configured in the appliance manager.

The first time that we use the DataPower appliance manager, add at least one appliance to the appliance manager. Before adding an appliance to the appliance manager, verify that:

• The appliance we are adding is at a Version 3.6.0.4 or higher firmware level. The appliance manager cannot manage an appliances that is not at a Version 3.6.0.4 or higher firmware level.

• The appliance manager can communicate with the port used for the XML Management interface AMP endpoint on the appliance. The appliance manager uses this port to send commands to an appliance.

• The appliance can communicate with the port used for the DataPowerMgr_inbound_secure endpoint on the deployment manager. The appliance uses this port to send events to the appliance manager.

• The Appliance Management Protocol (AMP) endpoint is enabled for each appliance. If the XML Management interface AMP endpoint was disabled during installation, use the DataPower WebGUI to enable the AMP endpoint.

• There is not a firewall between the deployment manager and the appliances that will be part of a managed set. If there is a firewall between the deployment manager and the appliances, that firewall might prevent the appliance manager from communicating with the appliances in a managed set.

Remember that the XML management interface port, which defaults to port number 5550, is different from the Web Management Service port, which defaults to port number 9090. The DataPower appliance manager uses the XML management interface port to manage the DataPower appliances. We use the Web Management Service port to access the WebGUI on the DataPower appliance. Use the same user ID and password to access both the XML management interface and the WebGUI..

When the DataPower appliance manager starts, it automatically starts the channel chain which causes a bind to the port that is defined for the DataPower appliance manager.

To access the DataPower appliance manager, in the administrative console, click...

        Servers > DataPower, and then perform one or more of the following actions. As previously stated, if this is the first time that we are using the DataPower appliance manager, add at least one appliance to the appliance manager before completing any of the other actions.

If we need to shut down the DataPower appliance manager, in the administrative console, click Servers > DataPower > Appliance manager> Shutdown Manager.

Tasks

• Add an appliance to the DataPower appliance manager.
• Add a new firmware version to the DataPower appliance manager.
• Create a new managed set.
• Monitor the tasks that are queued for the DataPower appliance manager
• Modify appliance manager settings.
• Manage the DataPower appliance domins.
• View the managed domains history.
• Manage versions of sharable appliance settings.

What to do next

We can configure SSL for the DataPower appliance manager.

Subtopics

• WebSphere DataPower appliance manager overview
  
• Add DataPower appliances to the DataPower appliance manager
  
• Replacing a DataPower appliance
  
• Add new firmware versions to the DataPower appliance manager
  
• Add a new managed set
  
• Modify DataPower appliance manager settings
  
• Monitor tasks that DataPower appliance manager is handling
  
• Administer managed domain versions
  
• Manage versions of sharable appliance settings
  
• Administer DataPower appliance domains
  
• Secure Socket Layer communication with DataPower
  
• Add the DataPower signer certificate to the WAS default truststore to enable an SSL connection
  

Set up the DataPower appliance manager using scripting

dpManagerCommands

Appliance manager settings