Explain PeopleSoft Internet Architecture?
- Vivek
- May 28, 2020
- 8 min read
This is a Basic diagram, Which shows various steps in the PeopleSoft Architecture.
We will see explanation for each part of the diagram.
DataBase Server – In simple words Database means Collection of data (or) a place where data is stored.
If we move a step forward in understanding what is a database. The actual meaning of database is
Database – “A structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways”
(or)
A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can be easily accessed, managed and updated.
All these definitions speak about the data. How this data is stored?
Data is stored in the form of tables – i.e in rows and columns
Data is organized into rows, columns and tables
I would like to add two more points here that is indexing
By attaching an index to the table it makes it easier to find relevant information.
What really happens in the database in the real time. Data gets updated, expanded and deleted as new information is added.
All this activity is done through SQL (Structure Query Language). As the database can understand only SQL language.
Coming to PeopleSoft the database is used to store PeopleSoft Application Data.
PeopleSoft Application data means – Application Object Definitions, System Tables, and data.
The PeopleSoft Database contains 3 layers
Application Data Tables
PeopleTools Metadata
System Tables
Application Data Tables :Application Data Tables Stores Data entered though PeopleSoft Application.
Tables and structures vary depending on the Application used.These tables contain transactional data entered by users. These tables are empty prior to data entry if it is not DEMO database.
PeopleToolsMetadata :PeopleTools tables provides infrastructure of the PeopleSoft Applications by storing and managing the PeopleSoft Application Metadata.
Metadata contains the information that defines the PeopleSoft application, such as fields, records, pages, PeopleCode and Security.
PeopletoolsTables :
Define the structure of all object definitions that make up an application.
Use same table structure for all applications
Contain data that is added and updated only when the application is installed, or when using development tools such as PeopleSoft Application Designer or Data Mover.
System Tables : We can call them as System Catalog Tables. Catalog means – ‘a complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or other systematic order, in particular’ In simple words something in list of items in order.
The system tables are just like analogous to
the table of contents in book
file allocation tables in hard disk
analogous – ‘comparable in certain respects, typically in a way which makes clearer the nature of the things compared’ I simple words it means something which is easy to compare.
System tables:
Keep a track of the objects that reside in the database.
Are created and owned by the RDBMS.
Also described as System Metadata.
Application Server
“The application server handles the bulk of the workload within the PeopleSoft system. It runs the business logic and processes all application requests.”
Lets us try to understand what these lines –
Bulk workload - it can handle good amount of workload and it is within the PeopleSoft System, something which is within the specified limits.
Business logic – means program that manages communication between end user and a database.
The application server depends on the Oracle Tuxedo Middleware to perform the transactions.
We have Oracle Jolt as well which makes the Oracle Tuxedo available for web based requests.
What is Jolt in PeopleSoft?
“PeopleSoft application server relies on Jolt, a companion product that co-exists with Tuxedo, to handle all web requests. In other words, Jolt is the bridge betweenPeopleSoft application server and the web server (any supported one) that facilitates web communication.”
(Or)
“Oracle Jolt is a Java class library and API that provides an interface to Oracle Tuxedo ... Oracle Joltconsists of the following components for creating Java-based”
We have various unique processes run the PeopleSoft application. Each server process is designed to handle specific type of process. For example the some server processes are designed to handle browser requests, while others are designed to handle Integration Broker requests.
Server process are configured to boot within a domain.
Each Domain has its own server processes depending on the purpose of the domain.
For exampleif the domain is specific to application then it contains all Application related processes and if it is a integration broker specific then the major processes are related to integration broker.
A domain can connect to only one database but a database can accept connections from multiple domains.
One application server can contain multiple domains and each domain contains multiple processes.
To enhance the scalability of system we can configure multiple domains in an application server and we can incorporate multiple application server machines to meet the system demand.
Batch/Process Scheduler Server :
The common usage of the Process scheduler server is to generate a report and post it on the regular basis. The PeopleSoft Batch scheduler is used to run the Pre- programmed routines either on demand or on a schedule. We use the processes scheduler to make changes in the data like general ledger posting.
We have various Types of reports they are COBOL, Application Engine, SQR, nVision, Crystal reports. The reports generated are stored the report repository with the help of the distribution agents.
Why we have a separate Batch server for running reports and getting reports for business purpose?
If all the processes are getting database from the file server which are connected though internet, We may experience slowness due to internet traffic, As the process scheduler is used for generating reports in specific we can get best performance.
WebServer
Webserver receives the request from Internet or Intranet and send them to Oracle Jolt port in the Application server. Webserver contains PeopleSoft Servlets.
Servlet –
“An applet that runs on server typically within Java”
(or)
“A servlet is a Java programming language class that is used to extend the capabilities of servers that host applications accessed by means of a request-response programming model. Although servlets can respond to any type of request, they are commonly used to extend the applications hosted by web servers.”
The collection the PeopleSoft servlets handles the incoming Requests as the Application server does. Like the Servers processes in the application server, each PeopleSoft servlets performs unique functions.
For Example the Portal Servlet handles the web requests and the gateway servlet handles service oriented architecture (SOA) messages and requests.
File Server
Data Repository for the upgrades and patches. All PeopleSoft Client Executables( PeopleSoft Application Designer and Configuration Manager), PS/nVision, Change Assistant files and directories necessary to perform upgrade, Client SQR.
PeopleTools Development environment
In PeopleSoft many Development and administrative tools are accessible by browser.
Some Tools are available only from windows based workstation.
The PeopleTools Development Environment means the Microsoft Windows workstations with collection of various PeopleTools. This is used by application developers, technical specialists and system administrators for perform various tasks.
For Example : Application Developers use Peoplesoft Application Designer in the developing the environment to create and modify application definitions such as fields, records, pages and components.
System administrators use Data Mover to import data to the database and Application Designer to migrate the projects.
What is 2 tier and 3 tier architecture?
2 Tier means connecting directly to the database. This requires the RDBMS Software i.e Oracle Database client installed in the workstation, We generally use this two tier connections for Installation and Upgrades.
3 Tier Means connection to the database through the Application Designer. In this the application server maintains the connection to the database for transmitting the SQL statements between the application server and the database server.
PeopleSoft Internet Architecture
We Call this as the 4 Tier architecture as here the communication flow includes one more step that is the Webserver.
What is XML – “a metalanguage which allows users to define their own customized markup languages, especially in order to display documents on the Internet.”
Another Explanation For same question
The Infrastructure or Architecture of PeopleSoft has changed very little since the introduction to the PeopleSoft Internet Architecture or PIA. PeopleSoft software is installed on several servers, each server with a specific type of duty. Additionally, some may be physically separate machines while others may be logical servers (more on that a little later).
The primary servers needed by PeopleSoft software are:
File Server
Database Server
Batch Server
Application Server
Web Server
Reporting Server
These servers work together to distribute the processing needed to the user, typically through a web browser. Together, these servers consist of the Pure Internet Architecture (PIA, for short.
PIA Architechture Flow
As you can see from this diagram there are many layers and servers to consider. An end user client browser communicates with the web server over the HTTP protocol. The web server is responsible for running the java servlets and web services.
Next, the web server communicates to the application server through Jolt/Tuxedo. The web server passes requests to the application server, the application server runs several key PeopleSoft services that will obtain meta-data and data from the database, the database passes it back to the application server, the application server builds any components necessary packages it over jolt/tuxedo and sends it back to the web server who presents it to the browser.
As you can see there are many layers and servers involved in the PeopleSoft architecture. Therefore, it is crucial that you understand them, how to install, configure, and tune each area specifically. If you'd like to learn how to tune your PeopleSoft Application, check out this Tuning your PeopleSoft Apps for Maximum Performance eBook Here.
File Server
When installing PeopleSoft software, the first stop is the file server. Typically a Windows 2008 server, the file server is where the PeopleSoft CDs are first installed. Many of the other servers, as well as Windows-based clients, can map a drive to the file server to run PeopleSoft software. The file server simply contains the PeopleSoft files; in other words, the installation routines do not place anything in the registry, so the files can be FTP’d to non-Windows servers, etc. The file server is the master, or “golden” copy of the PeopleSoft-delivered files.
Database Server
The heart of the infrastructure is the database server. It houses the database(s) that contain the application data. Many PeopleSoft customers have several databases for each PeopleSoft application suite (i.e. PeopleSoft Financials or Human Capital Management). Typical databases would include Demo, Development, Training, Unit Test, System Test, QA, Performance, and Production. The Database Server must be powerful and contain many high-capacity, high-speed, high-availability disks. Most PeopleSoft customers use Oracle for the database (especially now that Oracle owns PeopleSoft Corporation).
Batch Server
The Batch Server is also commonly referred to as the Process Scheduler Server, as the PeopleSoft-delivered software that handles batch processing is called the Process Scheduler. We will refer to this server from this point forward simply as the batch server. The batch server executes reports and processes on a scheduled basis, and this server typically resides on the same physical machine as the database server, for performance purposes.
Application Server
If the database server is the heart of the infrastructure, then the application server is truly the brains of the bunch. This needs to run on a machine with a very fast CPU and plenty of memory. It does not require extensive disk space like the database server. The application server is the communicator; as all database requests (except those initiated by the batch server or 2-tier Windows clients) are accepted by the application server, and sent to the database server through various services running on the application server machine. For example, long-running queries are handled by one type of application server service while quick-running ones are handled by a separate service. Additionally, 3-tier Windows clients, as well as web browser clients’ connections (via the Web Server) are handled by the application server. Consider the application server as the traffic cop.
Web Server
The web server accepts the web-based browser clients’ requests and connections. In turn, it sends messages (using Jolt software) to the application server. The web server does not know what a database is, nor does it even know about PeopleSoft. It simply serves up web pages and passes messages to the application server.
Reporting Server
The reporting server, working closely with the batch server, allows a user to see the results of a report. When a web-based client runs a report in PeopleSoft, this is accomplished by accessing the PIA through web pages. Once the report request is made, the Process Scheduler (i.e. batch server) runs the report. Once the report file is produced, the distribution agent service of the batch server passes the report file to the reporting server, which makes the report available automatically on the web. The reporting server is like a reporting-specific file server.
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