OpenEdge Getting Started: Installation and Configuration - Product ...

Client/server configurations
Client/server configurations
Wherever it runs, multi-user OpenEdge functions in a client/server architecture. On a
single machine, OpenEdge provides multi-user access to a database by using a
separate client process for each user. In a client/server configuration, one or more
clients access the database through a server. The server provides a connection to the
database through the shared memory. While separate and distinct, the OpenEdge
client and server processes compete for the same machine resources.
In client/server configurations, the client application and the database server are
separate processes. Client processes can be local or remote.
The OpenEdge user interface and OpenEdge applications execute in the client
session, sending requests to the OpenEdge server. The OpenEdge server accesses
the database on behalf of each client session.
Terminology
This section introduces the terminology used to describe client/server configurations.
Application workstation
An application workstation is any node that runs one or more OpenEdge clients.
Depending on its configuration, an application workstation might run local clients and
servers as well.
Database server machine
A database server machine is any node that runs one or more OpenEdge servers for
local or remote OpenEdge clients.
Network file server
A network file server is any node that provides shared services such as file, printing,
and security services to other nodes, including application workstations and database
server machines. A network file server usually provides these services by allowing
other nodes to access its local files and printers as if they were local. For example,
OpenEdge clients can run application procedures and OpenEdge servers can access
database files stored on a remote network file server.
A network operating system (NOS) is a network environment that includes one or more
network file servers that provide a common set of resource sharing and security
services to other nodes. A network file server usually runs the kernel of an NOS, the
program that controls access to shared network resources. Depending on its operating
system, a network file server might also run one or more OpenEdge database clients
and servers.
Although Progress Software Corporation recommends that you store the database on
a disk locally attached to the database server machine, you can store the database on
a network file server. Clients can access shared application code and communicate
with the database server. However, depending on your application and network
environment, you might lose database integrity.
OpenEdge Getting Started: Installation and Configuration 509