Choosing BackOffice Server Products

All Microsoft® BackOffice® Server products are available to the Corporate Media Library (CML) development team. This section discusses why specific products are used and what alternative applications or products might have similarly solved the business problem. Products not implemented in the CML are briefly described and reasons for their exclusion are explained.

BackOffice Server Products Used in the CML

• Windows NT Server is the network operating system for the Fitch & Mather Corporation. Microsoft Windows NT® Server provides the basis for security in the BackOffice Server environment. Security in the CML describes security requirements of the CML application.
• SQL Server is the relational database for the CML application. All library information resides in Microsoft SQL Server™ 7.0 database tables. Stored procedure objects in the CML database execute business logic. Design of the CML SQL Server database is described in Database Design and the role of SQL Server is described in SQL Server and the CML. SQL Server 7.0 is available as part of BackOffice Server 4.5 or as a stand-alone product.
• Exchange Server is the BackOffice message and collaboration server. The Exchange directory validates all borrowers of the CML material, provides data for the SQL Server CML database tables, and receives and distributes electronic overdue notices from the library. Microsoft Exchange and the CML describes how Microsoft Exchange Server is used in the CML application.
• Internet Information Server (IIS) is a key Windows NT service. IIS provides a powerful platform for Web applications that must interact with other BackOffice applications. IIS Brings the CML to the Web describes how IIS is used in the CML application.
• Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS), a feature of the Microsoft Windows NT operating system, is a component-based transaction processing system for building, deploying, and administering robust Internet and intranet server applications. The MTS programming model provides a framework for developing components that encapsulate business logic. The MTS run-time environment is a middle-tier platform for running these components. MTS Contributions to the CML describes how MTS is used in the CML application.
• Index Server works with Windows NT Server version 4.0 and Internet Information Server version 2.0 to provide access to all of the documents stored on an organization's intranet or Internet site. The Microsoft Search Service (a full-text indexing and search service) and the parser component of the OLE DB provider for Index Server 2.0 are integrated with SQL Server 7.0. These two technologies are the foundation of the SQL Server 7.0 full-text search. Full-text search is described in detail in Full-Text Search.

BackOffice Server Products Not Used in the CML

• Microsoft Message Queue Server (MSMQ) makes it easy for application programs to communicate with other application programs quickly, reliably, and asynchronously by sending and receiving messages. The CML application does not require the features of MSMQ. If the application supported mobile or disconnected users or was implemented on multiple servers, where delivery of library overdue notices might be affected by network or server down time, MSMQ would enhance application robustness.
• Site Server is the intranet server for publishing, searching, and finding information easier and faster. The CML application does not require the functionality of Site Server. The Site Server Task Scheduler is one technology considered for the delivery of library overdue notices. SQL Server Agent vs Site Server Task Scheduler discusses this topic.
• Proxy Server could be deployed in the CML application environment to provide a firewall. However, as an intranet solution, the CML application does not require firewall security.
• SNA Server provides a way for Windows NT-based systems to access legacy IBM mainframe and AS/400 data and applications. The CML application does not interface with any legacy systems.
• Systems Management Server (SMS) provides management of desktops and servers in the enterprise with software distribution, inventory management and control, remote diagnostics, and remote troubleshooting (remote control). SMS could be added to the CML application environment as the need for management is defined.
• Certificate Server allows an organization to manage the issuing, renewal, and revocation of certificates. This server is intended for Web-based applications that require secure and protected user access. Certificates are the basis for secure authenticated communication and access control on the Web. Certificate Server will manage the issuance, revocation, and renewal of digital certificates for the Fitch & Mather Corporation should features of the application require certificates.