Develop for XenServer

Deploying

Each plug-in is installed into: <XenCenter_install_dir>\Plugins\<organization_name>\<plug-in_name>.

Notes:

  • The author’s installation directory (<XenCenter_install_dir>\Plugins\<organization_name>) is known in this specification as <org_root>.
  • <org_root> is read-only at runtime.
  • By default <XenCenter_install_dir> is C:\Program Files (x86)\XenServer\XenCenter.
  • <organization_name> is the name of the organization or individual authoring the plug-in.
  • <plug-in_name> is the name of the plug-in.
  • <XenCenter_install_dir> can be looked up in the registry. In a default XenCenter installation, the XenCenter install directory can be found at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\XenServer\XenCenter\InstallDir. If XenCenter was installed for all users, this key is under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

In <org_root>\<plug-in_name>, ensure that the following items exist:

  • A plug-in declaration file, named <plug-in_name>.xcplugin.xml.
  • A satellite assembly for resources, named <plug-in_name>.resources.dll.
  • Anything else that the plug-in needs for its proper functions.

Other than as specified in this document, XenCenter ignores the contents of <org_root>. Plug-in authors can install whatever content they require within their own <org_root>. You can, for example, have libraries or graphics that are shared between all plug-ins. In which case <org_root> (or a shared subdirectory of it) is a good place for these artifacts.

The same freedom applies to <org_root>\<plug-in_name>. Material in there that XenCenter does not recognize is ignored.

The <XenCenter_install_dir>\Plugins directory is scanned when XenCenter starts and plug-ins that are found are loaded. To rescan the directory, restart XenCenter or use the Re-Scan Plug-in Directory button on the XenCenter plug-ins dialog. Any subdirectory that does not contain <plug-in_name>.xcplugin.xml is silently ignored.

Deploying

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