1.0 Architecture for direct debit applications on the Internet 

The following computers are required to run this system:

• Form design system – A typical workstation computer that is used to create the blank direct debit application forms.
• Application development system – A typical workstation computer that is used to create the forms application portlet.
• Forms repository – A database that stores the blank forms, submitted forms, and the data extracted from the submitted forms.
• Application server – The application server hosts the forms application. The forms application consists of WebSphere^® Portal, the Webform Server portlet, and the Lotus^® Forms API. A single server can be used, but for high availability, a hot, running backup should be in operation in case the primary server becomes unavailable.
• Translator servers – Two clustered servers host the Translator component of Webform Server, which converts the XFDL forms to JavaScript™ and HTML. Using two servers (horizontal scaling) provides high performance and high availability. Furthermore, each server hosts two instances of the Translator (vertical scaling).
• Log Server, Access Control Database, Shared File Cache – These Webform Server components are hosted on a dedicated server.
• Deployment Manager system – WebSphere Deployment Manager is used to set up the Translator cluster. This allows system administrators to easily add new servers if the demand for the application increases.
• Load balancers – The load balancers distribute work between the members of the Translator cluster and detect if a Translator server becomes unavailable. A single server can perform load balancing, but for high availability, a hot, running backup should be in operation in case the primary server becomes unavailable.

Note: If you are using a hardware load balancer, you may also need to deploy a reverse proxy.

• HTTP server – The HTTP Server handles user sessions and provides security to the overall system. A single server can be used, but for high availability, a hot, running backup should be in operation in case the primary server becomes unavailable.
• Firewalls – Standard corporate firewalls provide security to the overall system.

Alternate architectures

Other architectures are possible. For example, the forms application could transfer submitted forms and data to a backend application based on WebSphere Process Server instead of passing them to the forms repository.

Parent topic: Direct debit application forms on the Internet

Next topic: 2.0 Systems