The FileNet® P8 components
support enterprise-level scalability with a multitier, distributed
architecture. In particular, in order to accommodate various scalability
needs, FileNet P8 offers
both vertical and horizontal scalability solutions. The vertical scalability
of a server can be defined as its ability to handle additional workload
by the addition of a proportional amount of processing power. Horizontally
scalable systems can handle additional workload by increasing the
size of the cluster as the workload increases.
The following list describes some highlights of how
FileNet P8 is scalable:
- Content Platform Engine can be
clustered (scaled horizontally) to support increased workload requirements.
- Content Platform Engine can be
scaled vertically by either running multiple instances on a single
box, or by configuring a single instance to use system resources.
- Database software can be remotely configured to run on a separate
machine, which offers several benefits:
- The customer has maximal control over the way resources are allocated
between the application and the database.
- The database can be located on a system that is dedicated, tuned
for the RDBMS, and separately managed by a database administrator.
- Separation from the database permits application servers such
as Content Platform Engine to be clustered.
- Services that access a content object store can be distributed
across any number of machines to handle heavy user access.
- Multiple object stores can be distributed across databases and
machines, allowing the same system to service multiple applications.
- Users can access content that has been distributed across different
object stores by using cross-object store (that is, federated) search.
- Web sites can be easily deployed to multiple targets for handling
large numbers of users.
- Multiple Rendition Engine servers can be configured to support
large numbers of format conversions.
The following diagram shows how a FileNet P8 system could be clustered.