ServerTemplates

ServerTemplates are one of the key concepts of the RightScale Dashboard. ServerTemplates allow you to pre-configure servers by starting from a base image and adding scripts that run during the boot, operational, and shutdown phases. To help you get up and running faster, we've provided several ServerTemplates (under the RightScale tab) that are already configured with the appropriate RightScripts. We recommend cloning templates so that you can customize them accordingly. ServerTemplates that you've created yourself or cloned will appear under the Private tab. ServerTemplates that are listed under the Partners tabs are not distributed or supported by RightScale. See List of ServerTemplates.

What are the benefits of using ServerTemplates?

The key advantage of using ServerTemplates is that they help you create a more modular and easily reproducible server setup. Remember, in the cloud, you are no longer tied to a physical piece of hardware. Instead of creating new images for every type of server, you can now write simple scripts (RightScripts) that install and configure the necessary software components each time a server is launched with a particular ServerTemplate. Use the same scripts for multiple servers across several deployments (Production, Staging, QA). ServerTemplates also make it easy to make changes across multiple servers. You no longer have to "re-image" each server individually when it comes time to upgrade or patch the base image. Simply update the appropriate RightScript(s) that are used across multiple templates.

How do I use ServerTemplates?

Create your own ServerTemplate or use one of the existing templates under the Shared/RightScale/Partners tabs. Although you can use one of the available ServerTemplates "as-is" to launch servers, you must clone it if you want to customize it for your own purposes. When you clone a ServerTemplate, it will appear under your Private tab. You can only edit Private ServerTemplates.