A Multi-Tier installation involves the installation of LANSA software on a Data/Application Server and a Web Server.
A Mixed Multi-Tier installation involves the installation of LANSA software on an IBM i Data/Application Server for example, and a Windows Web Server or a combination as shown:
The link between your IIS-based Web Server and your Data/Application Server (where the LANSA system runs) is provided by the LANSA Web IIS Plug-in, giving you a platform-independent solution for the multi-tier deployment model.
The LANSA Web IIS Plug-in extends Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) Web server using the ISAPI technology.
The data transfer between the Web Server and the Data/Application Server is implemented as a Communications Extension connection using a LANSA Listener Job running on the Data/Application Server.
The components of a multi-tier system are:
Browser |
Builds the client side front-end and displays the generated Web Pages. |
Web Server |
Runs the Web Server services. Must support the ISAPI technology (e.g. Microsoft Internet Information Server). |
LANSA Web IIS Plug-in |
The LANSA Web IIS Plug-in is the component used to build the link between the Web Server and the Data/Application Server. LANSA Web Administrator (Local Configuration) is used for the connection to the Data/Application Server. LANSA Communications Administrator is used for the TCP/IP settings for the communications layer. |
Data/Application Server |
The Data/Application Server is the back-end system generally hosting LANSA for i or Visual LANSA with LANSA Web enabled. |
6.1 Before you Begin Checklist