How do I deploy and test message flows?

New users: Use this topic to get information about deploying and testing your message flows during development. When you have developed your message flows, message models, and other resources, you are ready to deploy them to an integration node.

You can use features that are provided in the IBM® Integration Toolkit to help you test your message flows. Read How do I deploy and configure message flows? for information about deploying and configuring message flows for use in a production environment.

Before you can deploy and test your message flows, you must have at least one integration node and integration server.
Note: You can create your own integration nodes and integration server, or you can use the integration node that is named TESTNODE_user_name (and integration server named default) that are created when the IBM Integration Toolkit is started.

How do I deploy message flows and related resources?

Use the links in this section to get instructions on how to deploy your message flows, message model schema files, and related resources to an integration node. Read Deploying integration solutions for an overview of the concepts of deployment of message flow resources.

  • How do I create a BAR ?

    A BAR file is a compressed file that contains compiled message flows, message dictionaries, and other application development resources. Use this link for instructions about how to create a BAR file. You can use the BAR file editor to add or remove message flows and message model schema files to, or from, your BAR . You can also use the BAR editor to edit the configurable properties in your BAR .

  • How do I add files to a BAR ?

    You can add message flows and message model schema files to a BAR file. The message flows, message model schema files, and related resources are compiled when they are added to the BAR file. You can also choose to add the source files to the BAR file. You cannot add resources to a BAR file from a project that contains an error.

  • How do I deploy a BAR ?

    Find out about the different ways that you can deploy a BAR file to an integration node. For deploying message flows for development to a test environment, the simplest method is to use the IBM Integration Toolkit.

  • How do I check the results of the deployment?

    Find out about the ways that you can check the results of deployment. When you deploy message flows to a test environment, the simplest method is to use the IBM Integration Toolkit. You can also use the mqsilist command with the name of the integration node and integration server to which you deployed your BAR file.

  • How do I edit configurable properties?

    System objects that are defined in message flows have configurable properties that you can update within the BAR file before deployment. By changing configurable properties, you can customize a BAR file for a new domain, without needing to edit and rebuild the message flows or other resources.

  • How do I refresh the contents of a BAR file?

    You can refresh the contents of a BAR file by removing resources from it and, having made required changes, add the resources back again. Alternatively, you can use the Refresh option in the BAR file editor.

How can I check my message flows?

Use the links in this section to get information about the different features that are provided in the IBM Integration Toolkit to help you to check that your message flows are processing messages as expected.

  • How can I check my message flows by using the Flow Exerciser?
    You can use the Flow Exerciser to carry out the following tasks:
    • Deploy the message flow to an integration server and set the integration server to recording mode.
    • Create and send an input message or previously saved recorded message to the input node of the message flow. For more information, see Messages that you can use.
    • Highlight the message path on the message flow.
    • Display the content of the logical message tree for a message that passed through a connection in the message flow.
    • Save the content of the logical message tree as a recorded message that you can send to the message flow later.
  • How can I debug my message flows?

    You can use the flow debugger to help test your message flows by tracking the path that a message takes through your message flow. You can also step through the ESQL, Java™, and message mappings in your message flows, to view the output messages that are being constructed.

  • How can I troubleshoot problems?

    If you are having difficulty deploying your message flows and other resources, or receiving unexpected results when you test your message flows, look at the problem determination information in this topic.