Using a Template to Define an Object Collection Node

You can use an XML template included in the vSphere Web Client SDK to quickly create an object collection node extension for a new object type. The object collection template generates an extension definition for an object collection node that contains an expandable sliding view in the Object Navigator for all objects in the collection. The variables in the template reference the necessary relation and object workspace extensions that the object collection node needs to function.

Example: Example Usage of Object Collection Template shows an example of how to instantiate the object collection template for a new object type called a Chassis.

Example: Example Usage of Object Collection Template

<templateInstance id="com.vmware.samples.lists.allChassis">

<templateId>vsphere.core.inventorylist.objectCollectionTemplate</templateId>

<variable name="namespace" value="com.vmware.samples.chassisCollection"/>

<variable name="title" value="#{chassisLabel}"/>

<variable name="icon" value="#{chassis}"/>

<variable name="objectType" value="samples:Chassis"/>

<variable name="listViewId" value="com.vmware.samples.chassis.list"/>

<variable name="parentUid" value="com.vmware.samples.chassisAppCategory"/>

</templateInstance>

 

In the example, the <variable> elements correspond to the properties of the ObjectNavigatorNodeSpec data object. To avoid name clashes with other extensions, such as object view templates, the namespace variable must be unique.

The template instance ID must be unique for every object collection you define.