Resources in HCL Universal Orchestrator

​In an automated orchestration environment, precise control over parallel process execution is
crucial when managing multiple workflows or tasks. This is where resources come into play,
representing limited units that workflows or tasks can reserve and consume during run time.

What is a resource?
In HCL universal orchestrator, a resource is a consumable entity that limits how many tasks or
workflows can run simultaneously based on its available quantity. This helps the system run
efficiently by controlling access to shared components that are finite in number.
Without such restrictions, multiple tasks may attempt to use the same resource at the same
time, potentially leading to conflicts or failures. Resources help avoid such scenarios by
managing these limitations effectively.

Why are resources necessary?
Resources are essential for managing equitable use of shared infrastructure and preventing
overloading. HCL universal orchestrator ensures the following benefits when resources are
defined and linked to tasks or workflows:
· Controlled concurrency – Only selected number of tasks run simultaneously.
· Resource sharing – multiple workflows can share a resource if designed to do so.
· Conflict avoidance – Workflows or tasks wait until the required resource units are
available.
· Efficient scheduling – System utilization improves without bottlenecks.

Consider resources as a parking space with limited slots, only a certain number of vehicles
(workflows or tasks) can be parked (run) at a given point in time and the remaining vehicles
need to wait until a spot is available.

​Defining resources using CLI
Use the orchestration CLI command to define a new resource:
ocli model new resource
Then complete the following template:

Kind: Resource
Def:
​   Folder: <mandatory>
   Name: <mandatory>
   Workstation: <optional>
   Description: <optional>
   Quantity: <mandatory>

Resources

Once defined or created, the resource can be referenced in your workflow or task definitions.
Managing resources using the UI
You can also create and manage resources from the graphical designer UI.
Steps to create a new resource:

1. Log in to the UI.
2. Go to the Design tab.
3. In the Graphical Designer page, select the Assets tab.
4. Click the Plus icon.
5. From the drop-down menu, select Resource.

Complete the mandatory fields:

• Folder
• Name
• Quantity
  6. Optionally you can provide:
  • Workstation
  • Description

7. Click Add. Adding resource to a workflow or task:
​

1. From the Blocks tab, drag a workflow to the canvas.
2. Click the Add constraints option on the task or workflow.
   • Use task-level constraints for individual control.
   • Use workflow-level constraints to apply to all tasks within the workflow.
3. Click Add New, and then select the Resource Dependency option.
4. Select the resource, and then specify the quantity needed.

Ensure that shared option is set to on, if you want to share the quantity of a single resource in multiple tasks or workflows.
 
Conclusion
Resources are a powerful mechanism to manage concurrency and ensure optimal usage of shared infrastructure in orchestration systems. Whether you are building tasks using CLI or UI, leveraging resource constraints can lead to a more predictable, balanced, and reliable operating environment.

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Shubham Gupta
A seasoned backend developer specialized in Java, Spring, Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring JPA, and SQL, with expertise in designing and implementing REST APIs. An Oracle Certified Associate in Java SE 8 and currently working on cloud-native applications using microservices architecture and actively expanding his knowledge in this area. Outside of work, he enjoys practicing yoga, exploring new places, and meeting new people, which helps him stay refreshed and inspired outside of work.