What Are Build Blends
Build blends are customised compilations of Xi-Batch and Xi-Text created for specific customer requirements. While the core source code remains identical, compile-time options and configuration defaults vary to meet specific needs.
Standard Blend
The "standard" blend provides unmodified releases suitable for general use:
xibatch_legacy-standard-1.7.0 xitext_legacy-standard-1.24.0
Standard blends work across all supported platforms without specialisation. Most installations use standard blends.
When Custom Blends Are Used
Custom installation paths : Distributors requiring specific directory structures for their clients
Operating system integration : Security profiles or system policies requiring compile-time options
Regulatory compliance : Industry-specific configurations for banking, healthcare, or government
Performance optimisation : Tuning for specific hardware or workload characteristics
Multi-tenant environments : Managed service providers with standardised configurations
How Blends Work
Blends configure compile-time options, default paths, and system integration without modifying core functionality:
Default directories : Base directory (/usr/spool vs /opt/xi vs /var/xi) : User binaries location (/usr/local/bin vs /opt/xi/bin)
Compile-time flags : Security features (SELinux integration, address space randomisation) : Platform-specific optimisations : Library linking options
Default configurations : Network settings : IPC mechanisms (shared memory vs memory-mapped files) : Logging verbosity
Integration points : Init system (SysV vs systemd) : User/group naming conventions : Service port numbers
Requesting Custom Blends
Contact Xi Software support with requirements:
- Describe specific needs (paths, security, integration)
- Identify target platforms
- Provide test environment for validation
- Review and approve build configuration
- Receive custom blend for deployment
Custom blends are named descriptively:
xibatch_legacy-bankingsector-1.7.0 xitext_legacy-hosting_provider-1.24.0
Standard vs Custom Blend Selection
Use standard blend when:
- Default paths and options are acceptable
- No special integration requirements
- Single installation or small deployment
- Testing or evaluation
Use custom blend when:
- Multiple installations requiring identical configuration
- Corporate standards mandate specific paths
- Operating system has strict security policies
- Managed service with standardised deployment
Blend Maintenance
Xi Software maintains custom blends alongside standard releases:
Version synchronisation : Custom blends released with same version numbers as standard
Update process : Upgrading custom blend follows same procedure as standard
Configuration preservation : Blend-specific settings persist across updates
Testing : Custom blends undergo same test suite as standard releases
Identifying Installed Blend
Check distribution filename or installation directory:
bash
# Directory name includes blend ls /usr/spool/xi_distrib/ # Shows: xibatch_legacy-standard-1.7.0/ # Or: xibatch_legacy-customname-1.7.0/
The whatvn utility also displays blend information:
bash
whatvn /usr/spool/progs/btsched # Shows blend in product identification
Blend and Version Compatibility
Same version, different blend : Data files compatible, can migrate between blends
Example: Jobs exported from standard-1.7.0 can restore to customblend-1.7.0
Different versions : Follow normal migration procedures regardless of blend
Network interoperability : Different blends of same version can interoperate on network
Technical Implementation
The build system uses profile-based configuration:
Blend profile file : Defines paths, options, and integration settings
Automated build : Profile applied during compilation and packaging
Quality assurance : Automated tests verify blend-specific behaviour
Documentation : Blend-specific installation notes generated automatically
Downloading Blend-Specific Distributions
The Xi Software download portal provides blend filtering:
- Access https://downloads.xisl.com/
- Enter valid serial number
- Select target platform
- Use advanced "Blend" filter if custom blend assigned
- Download appropriate distribution
Standard users see only standard blend. Custom blend customers see their specific builds.
Cost and Licensing
Standard blends : Included with product licence at no additional cost
Custom blends : May involve one-time setup fee depending on complexity
Maintenance : Custom blends receive updates with standard release cycle
Licensing : Same licence works for standard or custom blend of same product
Contact Xi Software sales for custom blend pricing.