A configuration template is similar to a native application configuration file, but with its variable parts “templatized” with the Configuration Modeling Language (CML) and instructions for moving values between the configuration file and the value set. See Configuration templates and script templates.

Any scripts that you want executed with the application configuration must also be written in CML template format. For more information, see Create a template from a script.

To create a configuration template:

1. From the SA Client navigation pane, select Library and then select the By Type tab.
2. Locate and open the Application Configuration node. Open the Templates node. Open the operating system group and select the operating system where the template file will be used. Note that a template can apply to multiple operating systems. You can specify this in a later step.
3. Select the Actions > New menu. This displays the Templates screen where you define the properties of the template.
4. Select the Properties view and enter the name and description of the template file as well as the following information:
   • Location: Specify where in the SA Library you want to store the template.
   • Version: The version can be any string you use for tracking changes to the template. The version is not incremented automatically.
   • Type: Specify whether it is a template file, a script or a localization file:
     
     • A template file is a model of configuration file.
     • Scripts are executed before or after pushing configuration files to the server. For more information, see Create a template from a script.
     • A localization file is used for configuration files customized for different locales. For more information, see Localize configuration file element names.
   • Parser Syntax: Select the type of syntax used by the template:
     • CML Syntax for all text configuration files other than XML files, and for all script files.
     • XML Syntax for configuration files written in XML.
     • XML DTD Syntax for configuration files written in XML that also use a DTD.
     • Custom Attribute Syntax for OS Provisioning
• OS: Specify to which operating systems this application configuration template applies.
  • Only servers with the specified operating systems will be able to use the template.
  • This template can only be used by Application Configurations that are applicable to one or more of the operating systems listed here.
• Availability: Use this setting to keep track of which templates are tested and ready to be used and which are not yet tested or are deprecated. This setting does not change what can be done with the template. You can use this field value as a search criteria.
• Auditable: Set this when you want to enable auditing for this template file. For more information, see Auditing Application Configurations.
5. Select the Content view.
6. Enter your CML or XML or XML DTD text directly in the template editor. See Edit CML or XML in a template for the editing operations and syntax highlighting. For details on CML and XML, see the CML Reference and Managing XML configuration files.
7. Select Validate to parse the CML or XML syntax and check for errors.
8. Select File > Save to save your template.
9. Add your template to an application configuration object. See Add or remove templates from an Application Configuration.