Uniface Server
A Uniface Server is a server-based process that handles requests for remote data and component execution that it receives from client applications.
Uniface Servers are usually started by the Uniface Router in response to client requests, but they can also be pre-started. They can be started as a shared server, which can process requests from multiple clients, or as an exclusive server, which has a direct connection with one client. For more information, see Shared and Exclusive Servers.
A Uniface Server can only access data or execute components that are available on the same host as itself. If it needs to access data or services on another host or from another Uniface Server, you can configure it to act as a client to another Uniface Server. The Uniface Router is responsible for routing requests to the appropriate Uniface Server.
Uniface Server Roles
Depending on the application and its configuration it can act in one or more of the following roles:
- Application Server—executes remote Uniface components (services and reports).
- Web Application Server—executes Uniface web components (dynamic and static server pages). In this case, it integrates with a commercial web server by means of the Web Request Dispatcher and Uniface Router.
- Data Server—accesses application data in a database, and reads and writes server-based application files. It connects to databases via Uniface database connectors.
- Integration Server—calls non-Uniface components, or executes Uniface components in response to requests from non-Uniface components. It connects to third-party components via application integration connectors for call-in and call-out. For more information, see Integrating with Other Technologies .
By default, the Uniface Server fulfills multiple roles, but you can assign a specific role to a Uniface Server in the client assignment file (in the [PATHS] section), in the Uniface Router assignment file (in the [SERVERS] section), or when starting the userver manually, using the /drv switch. For more information, see Server Connector Path, Uniface Server Types (UST) and /drv.
