Small Site Configuration

Although it is possible to install all Commerce Server 2000 components on one server, a four-computer configuration is required to separate the business logic and database tiers, and to provide failure protection.

This four-computer configuration has two servers at each tier: two identical Web servers and two identical database servers. The following figure shows a four-computer production environment.

Client

Corporate LAN

Database tier:
Administration
Catalog
Data Warehouse
Marketing
Profile
Transaction

Business Processing Logic:
Business Analytics
Catalog
List Manager
Pipeline components
Predictor client
Profile Service
Targeting System

NLB Cluster

Firewall

Web
Server

SQL Server

SQL Server

ISP/ASP
LAN

Web
Server

Server Cluster

Firewall

Database

Client

Internet Access

In this configuration, the Web servers are replicated by using Network Load Balancing (NLB). A single Internet Protocol (IP) address is placed in front of the Web servers to provide high availability. Both Web servers contain the Commerce Server administration tools, services, Commerce Server Business Desk, and applications. The database servers are configured as a Windows Server Cluster with a shared Microsoft SQL Server database. They contain the Administration database, the Commerce Server Data Warehouse, and the other Commerce Server databases.

Two firewalls are used in this configuration: one to secure input from the Internet, the other to secure input and output to the corporate network.

The following table lists the hardware specifications for a small configuration.

This configuration uses SQL Server to authenticate users. You can also use Microsoft Active Directory to authenticate users. This provides additional security, but requires the inclusion of domain controllers in your production environment.

Small Site Configuration With Active Directory

Small Site Development Environment

Small Site Configuration With Active Directory

You may decide to use Active Directory to provide a security context for your Commerce Server site. Active Directory is useful if you need to:

• Control access to site resources based on the security credentials of a user.

• Provide security for other applications.

If you decide to implement Active Directory on your site, you should add two additional servers to your configuration. The following figure illustrates a small Commerce Server configuration that includes Active Directory servers.

Client

Corporate LAN

Database tier:
Administration
Catalog
Data Warehouse
Marketing
Profile
Transaction

Business Processing Logic:
Business Analytics
Catalog
List Manager
Pipeline components
Predictor client
Profile Service
Targeting System

NLB Cluster

Firewall

Web
Server

SQL Server

SQL Server

ISP/ASP
LAN

Web
Server

Server Cluster

Firewall

Database

Replication

Active Directory

Client

Internet Access

To provide high availability, it is a good idea to use a pair of replicated Active Directory domain controllers. Active Directory uses its own replication to ensure that its data remains consistent between domain controllers. The Web servers and database servers in this configuration are identical to those in the four-computer configuration. Because the Active Directory processing load is relatively light, you can put the Active Directory server on the same cluster as the SQL Server computers.

Small Site Development Environment

The following figure shows an example of a small site development environment.

Source Repository

Legacy System

Administrator

Developer(s)

Business Manager(s)

SQL Server

Web Server

Internet

This development environment is physically separated from the staging/test and production environments. It is located inside the corporate network.

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