Deployment
As an N-Tier database application, Q-Pulse offers a great deal of flexibility in deployment across your network, as the tiers can reside anywhere from a single desktop to servers and clients around the world. The application can be accessed via various options including web browser, thin client terminals running Terminal Services or Citrix Metaframe plus traditional Windows desktops.
Whether you require Q-Pulse running on a single local area network serving a user base of 50 people or across multiple time zones on a wide area network with thousands of users, there is a deployment option to support your organisation. Options include single server support for a LAN environment and clustered database support for a resilient WAN environment.
Furthermore, as the installation and deployment of Q-Pulse is performed via Windows Installer, which means that application deployment tools that support MSI files can be used to deploy the tool. These tools include SMS and Group Policy. Deployment is further simplified when using the web client, where users simply require access to the application's URL.
In addition, Q-Pulse can be also be configured to operate in proxy server environments. A proxy server provides the benefit of an additional security layer to protect machines behind it.
A deployment diagram for Q-Pulse is below:
ClickOnce Deployment
In deploying client installations and upgrades, Q-Pulse now also offers an alternative to Windows Installer that takes advantage of Microsoft's .NET 3.5 Framework.
ClickOnce is a deployment technology that allows you to deploy self-updating Windows-based applications that can be installed and run with minimal user interaction.
By installing Q-Pulse onto the server, the application can then be copied automatically to clients. With the release of a new version, updates to the server installation will ensure that the latest version will be installed when a client next connects.
By being able to deploy Q-Pulse more quickly and easily throughout the organisation, the option for ClickOnce deployment reduces IT commitment to deployment beyond initial system installation and removes the need for administrator permissions to install applications.
In addition, ClickOnce deployment ensures that your Q-Pulse configuration can be easily and effectively replicated throughout the organisation, improving software control within the organisation, and increases the ease with which deployed applications can be updated to provide seamless upgrade deployment.
Installation Options for Q-Pulse and their relative merits are below:
OPTION |
IMPLICATION |
ADVANTAGE |
| 1. Single Machine | User Interface, Business Logic and Database all exist on same machine | Ideal for standalone systems with only one user |
| 2. Lightweight "Client & Server" | User Interface exists on Client Machine(s) with both the Business Logic and Database existing on one server | Ideal for small local area networks with 10 concurrent users or less |
| 3. Three-Tier | The 3 tiers of the application are distributed between 3 physical tiers; Client Machine(s), a Business Logic Server and a Database Server | Ideal for systems serving a large user base where a dedicated application server and database server optimises system performance |
| 4. N-Tier | The 3 tiers of the application are distributed between 3 physical tiers; Client Machine(s), a Business Logic Server and a Database Server. Furthermore, the Database Server contains multiple instances of the Q-Pulse database. | Ideal for large organisations who have a multiple Q-Pulse database requirement and who wish to share a central license pool. |
Installation Diagram
Find out about Implementation Methodology
