How Commerce Server Software Is Installed Within a Deployment

A Commerce Server 2009 deployment requires that you install, configure, and unpack various Commerce Server 2009 components.

This topic answers the following questions:

  • What Are the Server Roles in a Commerce Server Deployment?

  • Which Commerce Server Components Should You Install?

  • Where Should You Install Commerce Server Components?

  • How Do You Install Commerce Server Components?

What Are the Server Roles in a Commerce Server Deployment?

The following table describes the server roles used in the different environments supported by Commerce Server 2009 deployments. For information about the environments and deployment types, see Deployment Roadmap.

Server role

Environment

Deployment type

Description

BizTalk server

Integration/test

Production

Enterprise

Supports Commerce Server 2009 BizTalk adapters for line-of-business (LOB) and business-to-business trading partner integration. BizTalk Server facilitates multichannel integration scenarios with other internal systems, other retail sales channels, and external trading partners. It supports the exchange of data with the Catalog, Inventory, Orders, and Profiles Systems.

Business Management application client

Internal corporate intranet

Base

Enterprise

Enables the business users in an organization to access the Commerce Server 2009 Business Management applications and manage the product catalogs, marketing campaigns, site terms, and more for each Commerce Server 2009 site. These applications access the Web services that run on the Business Management server.

Business management clients can point to the Business Management server that runs in the integration/test, staging, or production environments.

Business Management server

Integration/test

Staging

Production

Base

Enterprise

Runs the Web services that the Business Management applications access.

Commerce Server single server

Single server

Evaluation

Supports evaluation and pre-deployment tasks. Runs all Commerce Server 2009 software.

Data Warehouse and analysis server

Production

Base

Enterprise

Supports data mining from multiple information sources and analysis reporting services. This server combines an SQL Server database, an Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) database, and processes that Commerce Server 2009 uses to import and maintain data.

Database server

Integration/test

Staging

Production

Base

Enterprise

Stores Commerce Server 2009 data and SharePoint databases.

Developer workstation

Development environment

Base

Enterprise

Supports the development of Commerce Server 2009 applications, sites, and services.

Domain controller

Integration/test

Production

Base

Enterprise

Runs the Active Directory directory service and Authorization Manager to handle security for all servers and devices on a network. Also handles permissions and logon authentication for users.

ISA server

Production

Base

Enterprise

(Optional) Runs the Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) application that helps to secure the communication between networks.

System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2007 server

Data

Production

Staging

Enterprise

Run monitoring services.

Staging server

Data/staging

Enterprise

Runs the Commerce Server Staging (CSS) service. CSS lets you synchronize multiple servers in a Web farm, or copy Web site content and data between separate environments. By using CSS, you can update Web content and business data from a source server to one or more destination servers. CSS is available only with Commerce Server 2009 Enterprise Edition.

In an enterprise deployment, you deploy the staging server in the data/staging environment. It should be set up to mirror the production Business Management server.

Web server

Production

Base

Enterprise

Supports user access to Commerce Server 2009 Web sites. You typically deploy Commerce Server Web servers in a load-balanced Web farm.

Which Commerce Server Components Should You Install?

The following table describes the Commerce Server 2009 software components that you can install by using the Commerce Server 2009 installation tools.

Commerce Server 2009 component or service

Description

Commerce Server 2009 core components

Includes the Catalog, Inventory, Marketing, Orders, and Profiles Systems, Commerce Server 2009 Manager, product documentation, software development kit (SDK), and the Commerce Server 2009 client tools.

Install the Commerce Server 2009 core components on the Business Management server and on other computers in a deployment that run the Commerce Server Web services. The Business Management applications access the Web services.  

Commerce Server 2009 multi-channel commerce foundation 

Install the commerce foundation on the Business Management server and on other computers in a deployment that run the Commerce Server 2009 Web services.

SharePoint commerce services

Install the SharePoint commerce services so you can add them to the Web site pages and their properties set to allow them to display and communicate information with both the shopper and Commerce Server.

Direct Mailer component

(Optional) Includes the Direct Mailer service and components that Commerce Server 2009 uses to create and send direct mail to lists of users.

Install this component on the Business Management server or on a dedicated server that supports direct mail activities.

Project Creation Wizard

Provides a developer tool that you use in Microsoft Visual Studio to make it easier to create Commerce Server 2009 Web projects.

Install this component only on developer workstations.

Staging component

Includes the Commerce Server Staging (CSS) system components, including the deployment engine and the CSS service. You can use CSS to stage your Web site content and business data from one environment to another, such as from a test environment to the production environment.

Install this component on the Business Management server and Web servers in the deployment.

Health Monitoring Service

(Optional) Supports monitoring of Commerce Server 2009 Web services with Microsoft Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 (SCOM). To use the Health Monitoring Service, you must install SCOM 2007 and the available Service Packs.  See How to Install Microsoft System Center Operations Manager for information about how to install SCOM 2007.

Install this component on the Business Management server or on one of the Web servers in the Web tier of an enterprise deployment.

Volume Shadow Copy Writer Service

(Optional) Supports backup and restore operations for Commerce Server 2009 databases. To use this service, you must install and configure the Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. For more information about the Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=71858.

Install this component on the principal production database server in the deployment.

Business Management applications

Supports business users, customer service representatives, developers, and administrators who change the catalog, profile, orders, and marketing data. There are four Business Management applications:

  • Catalog Manager. Supports product catalog Web site management activities.

  • Catalog and Inventory Schema Manager. Supports managing catalog definitions, categories, products, and properties.

  • Customer and Orders Manager. Supports order management Web site activities.

  • Marketing Manager. Supports discount, advertisement, and direct mail Web site management activities.

Commerce Server adapters for BizTalk Server

(Optional) Supports Commerce Server 2009 adapters for BizTalk Server to integrate with other applications, Web services, and trading partners.

Install this component on computers that are running BizTalk Server.

The following table describes the Commerce Server 2009 software components that you can install by using the Configuration Wizard, Site Packager, or other tools.

Commerce Server 2009 components

Commerce Server 2009 tool

Commerce Server 2009 global resource databases:

  • MSCS_Admin

  • MSCS_CatalogScratch

  • DirectMailer

Configuration Wizard

Commerce Server 2009 site-specific databases:

  • <site_name>_productcatalog

  • <site_name>_marketing

  • <site_name>_marketing_lists

  • <site_name>_profiles

  • <site_name>_transactionconfig

  • <site_name>_transactions

Site Packager

Commerce Server 2009 site and Web services

Site Packager

Commerce Server 2009 Data Warehouse resource and database

Site Packager (DW.pup file)

Commerce Server 2009 reports

Commerce Server Analysis PuP Helper (ReportInstaller.exe)

SCOM 2007

See How to Install Microsoft System Center Operations Manager for information about how to install SCOM 2007.

Where Should You Install Commerce Server Components?

The following table shows the Commerce Server 2009 software components that you typically install to support each server role.

Server role

Commerce Server 2009 core components

Direct Mailer

Project Creation Wizard

Staging

Health Monitoring Service

Volume Shadow Copy Writer Service

Business Management applications

Commerce Server adapters for BizTalk Server

BizTalk Server

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Business Management client

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Business Management server

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Commerce Server 2009 single server

Yes

Yes

Optional

Yes

Optional

No

Yes

No

Data Warehouse and analysis server

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Database server

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Developer workstation

Yes

Optional

Yes

Optional

No

No

Yes

No

Management server

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Staging server

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Web server

Yes

No

No

Optional

Optional

No

No

No

How Do You Install Commerce Server Components?

The following table summarizes how Commerce Server 2009 software is deployed across the servers in a base or enterprise deployment. Commerce Server 2009 creates different databases at different points during deployment. The Configuration Wizard creates global resource databases, except for the Data Warehouse. Commerce Server 2009 creates site-specific resource databases when you unpack the Web services for a site. Commerce Server 2009 creates the Data Warehouse global resource database when you unpack the Data Warehouse resource.

Server

Commerce Server 2009 software

Tool used to install

Web servers, Developer workstation

  • Commerce Foundation

Setup Wizard

Web servers, Developer workstation

  • SharePoint Commerce Services

SharePoint Commerce Services Configuration Wizard

BizTalk server

  • Commerce Server 2009 adapters for BizTalk Server

Setup Wizard

Business Management application clients

  • Commerce Server Business Management applications

Setup Wizard

Business Management server

  • Commerce Server 2009 core components

  • Direct Mailer (optional)

  • Staging

  • Commerce Server Business Management applications

Setup Wizard

  • Commerce Server 2009 site and Web services

Site Packager

Dd451642.alert_note(en-US,CS.90).gifNote:
You should unpack Web services only one time within a deployment environment. Name restrictions apply to the applications and Web services you unpack. For more information, see How Site Packager Works.

Data Warehouse and analysis server

  • Data Warehouse global resource database: DWsite_datawarehouse

Site Packager

Dd451642.alert_note(en-US,CS.90).gifNote:
Commerce Server 2009 creates the Data Warehouse database when you unpack the Data Warehouse resource (DW.pup). Unpack this resource on the Business Management server.
  • Data Warehouse reports

Commerce Server Analysis Pup Helper (ReportInstaller.exe)

Database servers

  • Commerce Server Volume Shadow Copy Writer Service (optional)

Setup Wizard

Dd451642.alert_note(en-US,CS.90).gifNote:
Install on the principal server in a cluster or a non-clustered database server.
  • Commerce Server 2009 global resource databases:

    • MSCS_Admin

    • MSCS_CatalogScratch

    • DirectMailer

Configuration Wizard

  • Commerce Server 2009 site-specific resource databases:

    • <site_name>_productcatalog

    • <site_name>_marketing

    • <site_name>_marketing_lists

    • <site_name>_profiles

    • <site_name>_transactionconfig

    • <site_name>_transactions

Site Packager

Dd451642.alert_note(en-US,CS.90).gifNote:
Site Packager unpacks Web services on the internal/test and production Business Management server, and on the Staging server. Commerce Server 2009 creates corresponding databases on each database server that is deployed to support these server roles. Commerce Server 2009 also creates these databases when you unpack a site on a developer workstation or Commerce Server 2009 single server.

Developer workstation

  • Commerce Server 2009 core components

  • Project Creation Wizard

  • Business Management applications

  • Commerce Server 2009 adapters for BizTalk Server (optional)

Setup Wizard

  • Commerce Server 2009 global resource databases

Configuration Wizard

  • Commerce Server 2009 site, Web services, and site databases

Site Packager

Management server

  • SCOM 2007

See How to Install Microsoft System Center Operations Manager for information about how to install SCOM 2007.

Dd451642.alert_note(en-US,CS.90).gifNote:
SCOM installs SCOM agents on each server in the deployment.

Staging server

  • Commerce Server 2009 core components

  • Staging

  • Business Management applications

Setup Wizard

  • Commerce Server 2009 site and Web services

Site Packager

Staging server database

  • Commerce Server 2009 global resource databases:

    • MSCS_Admin

    • MSCS_CatalogScratch

Configuration Wizard

  • Commerce Server 2009 site-specific databases:

    • <site_name>_productcatalog

    • <site_name>_marketing

    • <site_name>_marketing_lists

    • <site_name>_profiles

    • <site_name>_transactionconfig

    • <site_name>_transactions

Site Packager

Web servers

  • Commerce Server 2009 core components

  • Staging

  • CS Health Monitoring components (optional)

Setup Wizard

Dd451642.alert_note(en-US,CS.90).gifNote:
You need to install the Health Monitoring service on only one server in the deployment.
  • Commerce Server 2009 site

Site Packager

Dd451642.alert_note(en-US,CS.90).gifNote:
You can add multiple Web servers to support a Commerce Server site. You can do this through Site Packager or through Commerce Server 2009 Manager, which accesses Site Packager to add the site to additional Web servers.

See Also

Other Resources

Using Commerce Server Installation Wizard

Using Commerce Server Configuration Wizard

How Site Packager Works

Deployment Roadmap

Deployment Architecture

Deployment Guidelines

Using Commerce Server Installation Tools

Deploying Commerce Server 2009