This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to install and effectively use the Deployment Zone Consolidator application. This tool helps you identify applications with modules residing in more than one deployment zone. It then proposes unification strategies, guiding you towards configurations that comply with OutSystems documentation and architectural best practices.
OutSystems has evolved its approach to deploying applications to deployment zones. Historically, it was possible to configure a different deployment zone for each module. However, starting with Platform Server version 11.8.0 (April 2020), deployment zone configuration is now managed at the application level. Mixed-mode configurations — where individual modules of the same application reside in different deployment zones — are now deprecated.
While existing applications with modules in different deployment zones are still supported, OutSystems will stop supporting this option in the future. We strongly suggest unifying applications’ modules under the same deployment zone. The recommended option is to select a deployment zone for the whole application, which will modify the deployment zone for each of its modules. In case some modules need to stay in a separate deployment zone, you will need to create extra applications. For more detailed information on OutSystems' deployment zone policy, please refer to this link.
This component is installed like any other. You can download it from Forge and upload the application to Service Center.
Upon launching the application, you will see a dashboard summarizing information about all active applications in your environment. This dashboard visually highlights:
Applications with modules residing in more than one deployment zone (Mixed Deployment Zones).
Applications with modules residing in only one deployment zone (Unified Deployment Zones).
This screen also provides a brief explanation of OutSystems' recommendations for deployment zones and includes convenient links to relevant public documentation.
To view a detailed list of applications that require attention, click the "See Apps in Mixed Deployment Zones" button.
This screen presents a clear list of all your applications that currently have modules distributed across multiple deployment zones, along with the number of deployment zones each application comprises.
Export to Excel: You can easily export the entire list of mixed deployment zone applications to an Excel file by clicking the "Export to Excel" button. The exported file will look like this:
Application Details: To delve deeper into a specific application's configuration, simply click on its entry in the list. A side panel will open, providing granular details about its deployment zones and modules. Crucially, this panel also offers unification suggestions and strategies tailored to that application, helping you plan your next steps.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to install and use the Mixed Deployment Zones Accelerator application to identify applications with modules residing in more than one deployment zone
OutSystems changed the way applications are deployed to deployment zones. Before, it was possible to configure a different deployment zone for each module. Starting with version 11.8.0, this is only configurable at application level. While existing applications with modules in different deployment zones will continue to work, OutSystems will stop supporting this option in the future. Please review this web site for more information.
The Mixed Deployment Zones Accelerator is an app that simplifies the identification of such applications and modules, and proposes unification strategies according to OutSystems documentation.
To install this application, you will need a database connection to your OutSystems Metadata Database created. To create it, open Service Center, go to Administration, Database Connections, click on the link New Database Connection. Complete the required fields in the form, test the connection and save it.
Now you can open Service Studio, go to Forge, search for Mixed Deployment Zones Accelerator and install the application. Select your Metadata Database when prompted.
The application will start by showing a dashboard with summarized information about all the active applications residing in your environment. It will also highlight those applications with modules residing in more than one deployment zone, and the ones that have modules in only one.
On this screen you will also see a brief explanation about OutSystems policy for deployment zones and links to public documentation.
Clicking on the button See Apps in Mixed Deployment Zones will take you to the list of applications that need to be corrected.
The second screen will show you a list with all your applications with modules residing in more than one deployment zones and the number of deployment zones they comprise.
You can export the whole list to Excel by clicking on the Export to Excel button. The resulting file will look like this:
You can also see the details for a specific application by clicking on the application in the list. This will open a side panel showing details about deployment zones and modules, and unification suggestions and strategies.
This application will help you identify the applications that have modules in different deployment zones so that you can easily change their configuration to be compliant with OutSystems latest architecture patterns.