Red Hat Training

A Red Hat training course is available for Red Hat Process Automation Manager

Chapter 5. Process Automation Manager controller REST API for Process Server templates and instances

Red Hat Process Automation Manager provides a Process Automation Manager controller REST API that you can use to interact with your Process Server templates (configurations), Process Server instances (remote servers), and associated KIE containers (deployment units) in Red Hat Process Automation Manager without using the Business Central user interface. This API support enables you to maintain your Red Hat Process Automation Manager servers and resources more efficiently and optimize your integration and development with Red Hat Process Automation Manager.

With the Process Automation Manager controller REST API, you can perform the following actions:

  • Retrieve information about Process Server templates, instances, and associated KIE containers
  • Update, start, or stop KIE containers associated with Process Server templates and instances
  • Create, update, or delete Process Server templates
  • Create, update, or delete Process Server instances

Requests to the Process Automation Manager controller REST API require the following components:

Authentication

The Process Automation Manager controller REST API requires HTTP Basic authentication or token-based authentication for the following user roles, depending on controller type:

  • rest-all user role if you installed Business Central and you want to use the built-in Process Automation Manager controller
  • kie-server user role if you installed the headless Process Automation Manager controller separately from Business Central

To view configured user roles for your Red Hat Process Automation Manager distribution, navigate to ~/$SERVER_HOME/standalone/configuration/application-roles.properties and ~/application-users.properties.

To add a user with the kie-server role or the rest-all role or both, navigate to ~/$SERVER_HOME/bin and run the following command with the role or roles specified:

$ ./add-user.sh -a --user <USERNAME> --password <PASSWORD> --role kie-server,rest-all

To configure the kie-server or rest-all user with Process Automation Manager controller access, navigate to ~/$SERVER_HOME/standalone/configuration/standalone-full.xml, uncomment the org.kie.server properties (if applicable), and add the controller user login credentials and controller location (if needed):

<property name="org.kie.server.location" value="http://localhost:8080/kie-server/services/rest/server"/>
<property name="org.kie.server.controller" value="http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller"/>
<property name="org.kie.server.controller.user" value="baAdmin"/>
<property name="org.kie.server.controller.pwd" value="password@1"/>
<property name="org.kie.server.id" value="default-kieserver"/>

For more information about user roles and Red Hat Process Automation Manager installation options, see Planning a Red Hat Process Automation Manager installation.

HTTP headers

The Process Automation Manager controller REST API requires the following HTTP headers for API requests:

  • Accept: Data format accepted by your requesting client:

    • application/json (JSON)
    • application/xml (XML, for JAXB)
  • Content-Type: Data format of your POST or PUT API request data:

    • application/json (JSON)
    • application/xml (XML, for JAXB)
HTTP methods

The Process Automation Manager controller REST API supports the following HTTP methods for API requests:

  • GET: Retrieves specified information from a specified resource endpoint
  • POST: Updates a resource or resource instance
  • PUT: Creates a resource or resource instance
  • DELETE: Deletes a resource or resource instance
Base URL
The base URL for Process Automation Manager controller REST API requests is http://SERVER:PORT/CONTROLLER/rest/, such as http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/ if you are using the Process Automation Manager controller built in to Business Central.
Endpoints

Process Automation Manager controller REST API endpoints, such as /controller/management/servers/{serverId} for a specified Process Server template, are the URIs that you append to the Process Automation Manager controller REST API base URL to access the corresponding server resource or type of server resource in Red Hat Process Automation Manager.

Example request URL for /controller/management/servers/{serverId} endpoint

http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers/default-kieserver

Request parameters and request data

Some Process Automation Manager controller REST API requests require specific parameters in the request URL path to identify or filter specific resources and to perform specific actions. You can append URL parameters to the endpoint in the format ?<PARAM>=<VALUE>&<PARAM>=<VALUE>.

Example DELETE request URL with parameters

http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/server/new-kieserver-instance?location=http://localhost:8080/kie-server/services/rest/server

HTTP POST and PUT requests may additionally require a request body or file with data to accompany the request.

Example PUT request URL and JSON request body data

http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers/new-kieserver

{
  "server-id": "new-kieserver",
  "server-name": "new-kieserver",
  "container-specs": [],
  "server-config": {},
  "capabilities": [
    "RULE",
    "PROCESS",
    "PLANNING"
  ]
}

5.1. Sending requests with the Process Automation Manager controller REST API using a REST client or curl utility

The Process Automation Manager controller REST API enables you to interact with your Process Server templates (configurations), Process Server instances (remote servers), and associated KIE containers (deployment units) in Red Hat Process Automation Manager without using the Business Central user interface. You can send Process Automation Manager controller REST API requests using any REST client or curl utility.

Prerequisites

  • Process Server is installed and running.
  • The Process Automation Manager controller or headless Process Automation Manager controller is installed and running.
  • You have rest-all user role access to the Process Automation Manager controller if you installed Business Central, or kie-server user role access to the headless Process Automation Manager controller installed separately from Business Central.

Procedure

  1. Identify the relevant API endpoint to which you want to send a request, such as [GET] /controller/management/servers to retrieve Process Server templates from the Process Automation Manager controller.
  2. In a REST client or curl utility, enter the following components for a GET request to controller/management/servers. Adjust any request details according to your use case.

    For REST client:

    • Authentication: Enter the user name and password of the Process Automation Manager controller user with the rest-all role or the headless Process Automation Manager controller user with the kie-server role.
    • HTTP Headers: Set the following header:

      • Accept: application/json
    • HTTP method: Set to GET.
    • URL: Enter the Process Automation Manager controller REST API base URL and endpoint, such as http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers.

    For curl utility:

    • -u: Enter the user name and password of the Process Automation Manager controller user with the rest-all role or the headless Process Automation Manager controller user with the kie-server role.
    • -H: Set the following header:

      • Accept: application/json
    • -X: Set to GET.
    • URL: Enter the Process Automation Manager controller REST API base URL and endpoint, such as http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers.
    curl -u 'baAdmin:password@1' -H "Accept: application/json" -X GET "http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers"
  3. Execute the request and review the Process Automation Manager controller response.

    Example server response (JSON):

    {
      "server-template": [
        {
          "server-id": "default-kieserver",
          "server-name": "default-kieserver",
          "container-specs": [
            {
              "container-id": "employeerostering_1.0.0-SNAPSHOT",
              "container-name": "employeerostering",
              "server-template-key": {
                "server-id": "default-kieserver",
                "server-name": "default-kieserver"
              },
              "release-id": {
                "group-id": "employeerostering",
                "artifact-id": "employeerostering",
                "version": "1.0.0-SNAPSHOT"
              },
              "configuration": {
                "RULE": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.RuleConfig": {
                    "pollInterval": null,
                    "scannerStatus": "STOPPED"
                  }
                },
                "PROCESS": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.ProcessConfig": {
                    "runtimeStrategy": "SINGLETON",
                    "kbase": "",
                    "ksession": "",
                    "mergeMode": "MERGE_COLLECTIONS"
                  }
                }
              },
              "status": "STARTED"
            },
            {
              "container-id": "mortgage-process_1.0.0-SNAPSHOT",
              "container-name": "mortgage-process",
              "server-template-key": {
                "server-id": "default-kieserver",
                "server-name": "default-kieserver"
              },
              "release-id": {
                "group-id": "mortgage-process",
                "artifact-id": "mortgage-process",
                "version": "1.0.0-SNAPSHOT"
              },
              "configuration": {
                "RULE": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.RuleConfig": {
                    "pollInterval": null,
                    "scannerStatus": "STOPPED"
                  }
                },
                "PROCESS": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.ProcessConfig": {
                    "runtimeStrategy": "PER_PROCESS_INSTANCE",
                    "kbase": "",
                    "ksession": "",
                    "mergeMode": "MERGE_COLLECTIONS"
                  }
                }
              },
              "status": "STARTED"
            }
          ],
          "server-config": {},
          "server-instances": [
            {
              "server-instance-id": "default-kieserver-instance@localhost:8080",
              "server-name": "default-kieserver-instance@localhost:8080",
              "server-template-id": "default-kieserver",
              "server-url": "http://localhost:8080/kie-server/services/rest/server"
            }
          ],
          "capabilities": [
            "RULE",
            "PROCESS",
            "PLANNING"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  4. In your REST client or curl utility, send another API request with the following components for a PUT request to /controller/management/servers/{serverId} to create a new Process Server template. Adjust any request details according to your use case.

    For REST client:

    • Authentication: Enter the user name and password of the Process Automation Manager controller user with the rest-all role or the headless Process Automation Manager controller user with the kie-server role.
    • HTTP Headers: Set the following headers:

      • Accept: application/json
      • Content-Type: application/json
    • HTTP method: Set to PUT.
    • URL: Enter the Process Automation Manager controller REST API base URL and endpoint, such as http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers/new-kieserver.
    • Request body: Add a JSON request body with the configurations for the new Process Server template:
    {
      "server-id": "new-kieserver",
      "server-name": "new-kieserver",
      "container-specs": [],
      "server-config": {},
      "capabilities": [
        "RULE",
        "PROCESS",
        "PLANNING"
      ]
    }

    For curl utility:

    • -u: Enter the user name and password of the Process Automation Manager controller user with the rest-all role or the headless Process Automation Manager controller user with the kie-server role.
    • -H: Set the following headers:

      • Accept: application/json
      • Content-Type: application/json
    • -X: Set to PUT.
    • URL: Enter the Process Automation Manager controller REST API base URL and endpoint, such as http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers/new-kieserver.
    • -d: Add a JSON request body or file (@file.json) with the configurations for the new Process Server template:
    curl -u 'baAdmin:password@1' -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X PUT "http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers/new-kieserver" -d "{ \"server-id\": \"new-kieserver\", \"server-name\": \"new-kieserver\", \"container-specs\": [], \"server-config\": {}, \"capabilities\": [ \"RULE\", \"PROCESS\", \"PLANNING\" ]}"
    curl -u 'baAdmin:password@1' -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X PUT "http://localhost:8080/business-central/rest/controller/management/servers/new-kieserver" -d @my-server-template-configs.json
  5. Execute the request and confirm the successful Process Automation Manager controller response.

    If you encounter request errors, review the returned error code messages and adjust your request accordingly.

5.2. Sending requests with the Process Automation Manager controller REST API using the Swagger interface

The Process Automation Manager controller REST API supports a Swagger web interface that you can use instead of a standalone REST client or curl utility to interact with your Process Server templates, instances, and associated KIE containers in Red Hat Process Automation Manager without using the Business Central user interface.

Prerequisites

  • The Process Automation Manager controller is installed and running.
  • You have rest-all user role access to the Process Automation Manager controller if you installed Business Central, or kie-server user role access to the headless Process Automation Manager controller installed separately from Business Central.

Procedure

  1. In a web browser, navigate to http://SERVER:PORT/CONTROLLER/docs, such as http://localhost:8080/business-central/docs, and log in with the user name and password of the Process Automation Manager controller user with the rest-all role or the headless Process Automation Manager controller user with the kie-server role.

    Note

    If you are using the Process Automation Manager controller built in to Business Central, the Swagger page associated with the Process Automation Manager controller is identified as the "Business Central API" for Business Central REST services. If you are using the headless Process Automation Manager controller without Business Central, the Swagger page associated with the headless Process Automation Manager controller is identified as the "Controller API". The Process Automation Manager controller REST API endpoints in both cases are the same.

  2. In the Swagger page, select the relevant API endpoint to which you want to send a request, such as Controller :: Management[GET] /controller/management/servers to retrieve Process Server templates from the Process Automation Manager controller.
  3. Click Try it out and provide any optional parameters by which you want to filter results, if applicable.
  4. In the Response content type drop-down menu, select the desired format of the server response, such as application/json for JSON format.
  5. Click Execute and review the Process Server response.

    Example server response (JSON):

    {
      "server-template": [
        {
          "server-id": "default-kieserver",
          "server-name": "default-kieserver",
          "container-specs": [
            {
              "container-id": "employeerostering_1.0.0-SNAPSHOT",
              "container-name": "employeerostering",
              "server-template-key": {
                "server-id": "default-kieserver",
                "server-name": "default-kieserver"
              },
              "release-id": {
                "group-id": "employeerostering",
                "artifact-id": "employeerostering",
                "version": "1.0.0-SNAPSHOT"
              },
              "configuration": {
                "RULE": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.RuleConfig": {
                    "pollInterval": null,
                    "scannerStatus": "STOPPED"
                  }
                },
                "PROCESS": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.ProcessConfig": {
                    "runtimeStrategy": "SINGLETON",
                    "kbase": "",
                    "ksession": "",
                    "mergeMode": "MERGE_COLLECTIONS"
                  }
                }
              },
              "status": "STARTED"
            },
            {
              "container-id": "mortgage-process_1.0.0-SNAPSHOT",
              "container-name": "mortgage-process",
              "server-template-key": {
                "server-id": "default-kieserver",
                "server-name": "default-kieserver"
              },
              "release-id": {
                "group-id": "mortgage-process",
                "artifact-id": "mortgage-process",
                "version": "1.0.0-SNAPSHOT"
              },
              "configuration": {
                "RULE": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.RuleConfig": {
                    "pollInterval": null,
                    "scannerStatus": "STOPPED"
                  }
                },
                "PROCESS": {
                  "org.kie.server.controller.api.model.spec.ProcessConfig": {
                    "runtimeStrategy": "PER_PROCESS_INSTANCE",
                    "kbase": "",
                    "ksession": "",
                    "mergeMode": "MERGE_COLLECTIONS"
                  }
                }
              },
              "status": "STARTED"
            }
          ],
          "server-config": {},
          "server-instances": [
            {
              "server-instance-id": "default-kieserver-instance@localhost:8080",
              "server-name": "default-kieserver-instance@localhost:8080",
              "server-template-id": "default-kieserver",
              "server-url": "http://localhost:8080/kie-server/services/rest/server"
            }
          ],
          "capabilities": [
            "RULE",
            "PROCESS",
            "PLANNING"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  6. In the Swagger page, navigate to the Controller :: Management[GET] /controller/management/servers/{serverId} endpoint to send another request to create a new Process Server template. Adjust any request details according to your use case.
  7. Click Try it out and enter the following components for the request:

    • serverId: Enter the ID of the new Process Server template, such as new-kieserver.
    • body: Set the Parameter content type to the desired request body format, such as application/json for JSON format, and add a request body with the configurations for the new Process Server template:
    {
      "server-id": "new-kieserver",
      "server-name": "new-kieserver",
      "container-specs": [],
      "server-config": {},
      "capabilities": [
        "RULE",
        "PROCESS",
        "PLANNING"
      ]
    }
  8. In the Response content type drop-down menu, select the desired format of the server response, such as application/json for JSON format.
  9. Click Execute and confirm the successful Process Automation Manager controller response.

    If you encounter request errors, review the returned error code messages and adjust your request accordingly.

5.3. Supported Process Automation Manager controller REST API endpoints

The Process Automation Manager controller REST API provides endpoints for interacting with Process Server templates (configurations), Process Server instances (remote servers), and associated KIE containers (deployment units). The Process Automation Manager controller REST API base URL is http://SERVER:PORT/CONTROLLER/rest/. All requests require HTTP Basic authentication or token-based authentication for the rest-all user role if you installed Business Central and you want to use the built-in Process Automation Manager controller, or the kie-server user role if you installed the headless Process Automation Manager controller separately from Business Central.

For the full list of Process Automation Manager controller REST API endpoints and descriptions, use one of the following resources:

  • Controller REST API on the jBPM Documentation page (static)
  • Swagger UI for the Process Automation Manager controller REST API at http://SERVER:PORT/CONTROLLER/docs (dynamic, requires running Process Automation Manager controller)

    Note

    If you are using the Process Automation Manager controller built in to Business Central, the Swagger page associated with the Process Automation Manager controller is identified as the "Business Central API" for Business Central REST services. If you are using the headless Process Automation Manager controller without Business Central, the Swagger page associated with the headless Process Automation Manager controller is identified as the "Controller API". The Process Automation Manager controller REST API endpoints in both cases are the same.