Tutorial - Setting Up a Virtual Resource

In this exercise, we will set up an imaginary resource and three imaginary tasks.

In this scenario, two of our tasks are resource-intensive, and they run on the same machine. Therefore, if one is already running when the other is launched, we want the second task to wait until the first is finished before running. However, our third task is not so resource-intensive, so we will allow this one to run at the same time as either of the other two.

To simplify the exercise, we will use Timer tasks.
 

Step 1

From the Automation Center navigation pane, click Other > Virtual Resources. The Virtual Resources list displays.

Step 2

Click the New button to display an empty Virtual Resource Details and enter the following values:

  • Resource Name = Resource A
  • Resource Limit = 5

Step 3

Click the Save button.
 

Step 4

Update the Timer1, Timer2, and Timer3 tasks that you created in the Creating a Simple Workflow tutorial.
 
For Timer1:

 

 
For Timer2:

For Timer3:

Step 5

Open Resource A and click the Tasks tab to see that Timer1, Timer2, and Timer3 are listed.
 

Step 6

Create a Time Trigger called Trigger A, and select Task1, Task2, and Task 3 in the Task(s) field, and enter a Time three minutes from the current time.

Step 7

Click the Save button, right-click Trigger A on the Triggers list, and click Enable.

Step 8

When the trigger is satisfied, only Timer1 or Timer 2 will run, along with Timer3. When Timer1 or Timer 2 finishes, the other will run run. Display the Activity Monitor and note that Timer1 or Timer 2 is waiting in Resource Wait status.
 

Step 9

In the Virtual Resource Details, click the Currently In Use By tab and observe which tasks are running on this virtual resource. Note that this display does not automatically refresh.



For additional information, see:

Virtual Resources