IBM 51 manual Product comparison, Orchestrating provisioning

vEach asset is represented by a data center object. When you make a change to an asset with Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator, the data center object is updated in the data center model. If a change is made outside of Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator, the external change can be identified by comparing it with the data center object in the data center model.

vFor some data center assets, the data center model stores data about the asset and data about deploying or provisioning the asset separately to provide a range of implementation options. For example, when a software package is added to the Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator software catalog, you define the software package as a installable file. You can then create software definitions that describe different configuration requirements and configuration options for installing the same software package.

vYou can create templates that define standard configurations. For example, you can create a server template that includes the routing, software, and storage configuration for a particular application tier. When a server is added to the application tier, the defined configuration is automatically applied.

vYou can define application topologies that describe requirements for an application. You can then deploy an application based on the defined application requirements.

Orchestrating provisioning

You can configure Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator to dynamically allocate resources to applications based on demand or priority. Applications can share pools of available resources to optimize utilization and eliminate idle resources or excess allocation of resources.

Product comparison

Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator includes Tivoli Provisioning Manager, a standalone product that can be purchased separately, based on your data center needs. Tivoli Provisioning Manager provides core automated deployment capability, while Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator adds policy-based decision-making capabilities.

Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator uses historical and current demand and performance data, as well as defined business policies to determine where and when to allocate resources. When a deployment decision is made, Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator runs workflows to automatically make the required configuration and allocation changes. You can specify the degree of automated provisioning that you require at the global, application, and tier level.

The following table summarizes the complementary roles of the two products:

Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator	Tivoli Provisioning Manager
Orchestrates automation	Coordinates provisioning
Determines why, when, and where: Senses	Coordinates what and how: Determines
why an action is necessary, anticipates when	what data center assets to provision and
to start provisioning, and prioritizes where	provisions them based on your defined
to put resources.	business processes.

2Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator Problem Determination and Troubleshooting Guide