A service profile typically includes four types of information:
a) Server definition : It defines the resources (e.g. a specific server or a blade inserted to a specific chassis) that are required to apply to the profile.
b) Identity information : Identity information includes the UUID, MAC address for each virtual NIC (vNIC), and WWN specifications for each HBA.
c) Firmware revision specifications : These are used when a certain tested firmware revision is required to be installed or for some other reason a specific firmware is used.
d) Connectivity definition : It is used to configure network adapters, fabric extenders, and parent interconnects, however this information is abstract as it does not include the details of how each network component is configured.
A service profile is created by the UCS server administrator. This service profile leverages configuration policies that were created by the server, network, and storage administrators. Server administrators can also create a Service profile template which can be later used to create Service profiles in an easier way. A service template can be derived from a service profile, with server and I/O interface identity information abstracted. Instead of specifying exact UUID, MAC address, and WWN values, a service template specifies where to get these values. For example, a service profile template might specify the standard network connectivity for a web server and the pool from which its interface's MAC addresses can be obtained. Service profile templates can be used to provision many servers with the same simplicity as creating a single one.
