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Functions for large-scale configurations

1. Linking business processes among workflow domains

2. Supporting large-scale workflows

3. Handling a large number of registered users and simultaneously logged-in users

1.1 Overview of business process linkage

This function enables you to link business processes between workflow servers each of which is configured independently as a Groupmax domain. You can configure a workflow system for each site and link the sites in phases.
This function has two major features:

(1) Support of serial linkage and layered linkage of business process definitions

Serial linkage takes work-items from a node and places them into another business process definition. Those work-items placed into that other business process definition will then flow asynchronously to the link source business process definition.

Serial linkage of business process definitions


Layered linkage suspends processing in a business process definition and places work-items into another business process definition. After the processing in this definition ends, processing in the original business process definition resumes.

Layered linkage of business process definitions

(2) Protocol conforming to the IF4 specifications defined by the WfMC

Groupmax Enterprise Version 5 employs WfMC Interface 4 MIME Binding 1.1, which is a protocol defined by the WfMC for connection between business process definitions. Linkage with non-Groupmax workflows requires a separate connection confirmation. (Since the specifications for WfMC Interface 4 MIME Binding 1.1 may have different interpretations, confirm the specifications in advance, especially for connections to a different company's workflow.)

Business process linkage between workflow domains

1.2 Differences from and coexistence with a multi-server function

A conventional multi-server function uses one global business process definition in a domain. However, the business process linkage function links business process definitions. This linkage can span domains, thus enabling larger-scale operation.
For example, you can use a multi-server configuration to perform workflow applications in a domain and you can link a workflow definition in this multi-server configuration to a workflow in another domain.

Differences between a multi-server configuration and business process linkage for workflows

Conceptual diagram of a multi-server configuration
	Each server in a domain handles a part of one business process definition. Which part of the definition each server handles depends on each user's definition for the Workflow home server.

Conceptual diagram of a business process linkage

You can link business process definitions across domains. Each business process definition cannot span more than one domain. Each domain can have a multi-server configuration. When an operation monitor references work-items in a link target business process definition, it must change over the connection target domain.

2. Supporting large-scale workflows

Groupmax Enterprise Version 5 supports the following features for operating a workflow system in a large-scale configuration.

2.1 Business process linkage across domains

You can configure an independent workflow system at each site and link those sites by linking business processes across workflow domains. This lets you configure a workflow system that can cover more than one million users.

You can configure a workflow system that covers more than the maximum number of users (5,000 users) that can be registered in one Groupmax server. You can configure a workflow system that can handle 100,000 users with one server.

(1)

If more than 5,000 users are registered in one server, you must study the performance, configuration and functionality of the machines from the viewpoint of large-scale operation. Large-scale operation may impose some restrictions and requirements on the system; these might be obstacles in satisfying your needs.

(2)

If you use Groupmax functions other than workflow functionality, you cannot register more than 5,000 users in one server.

3. Handling a large number of registered users and simultaneously logged-in users

3.1 Maximum number of registered users and simultaneously logged-in users in one server

The following describes the maximum number of registered users and simultaneously logged-in users that one server can cover for each server function in a Groupmax system.
The values for Groupmax Version 3 are also given for comparison.

Server functions		Groupmax V3		Groupmax V5
		For Windows NT	For UNIX	For Windows NT	For UNIX
E-mail	Registered user count	3000	3000	5000	5000
	Synchronous login count	256	1000	1000	1000
	Synchronous access count	-	-	-	-
Workflow	Registered user count	4096	4096	5000	5000
	Synchronous login count	4096 *1	4096 *1	4096 *1	4096 *1
	Synchronous access count	32 *1	32 *1	32 *1	32 *1
Document Manager	Registered user count	3000	3000	5000	5000
	Synchronous login count	256	256	1000 *2	1000 *2
	Synchronous access count	4	4	32 *2	32 *2
Scheduler	Registered user count	3000	3000	5000	5000
	Synchronous login count	-	-	-	-
	Synchronous access count	-	-	-	-
Web linking function	Registered user count	3000	3000	5000	5000
	Synchronous login count	200	250	200	250
	Synchronous access count	-	-	-	-

-: Does not cover the concept of handling the number of simultaneous logins and simultaneous accesses. *1 Groupmax High-end Workflow Server is required. If Groupmax High-end Workflow Server is not used, the maximum number of simultaneous logins is 1,000 and the maximum number of simultaneous accesses is 2. *2 Groupmax High-end Document Manager is required. If Groupmax High-end Document Manager is not used, the maximum number of simultaneous logins is 256 and the maximum number of simultaneous accesses is 4.

(1)

You can register up to 32,500 users in one Groupmax domain, which equals the range that the organizational address book can reference. If you exceed this number, divide the users into Groupmax domains.

(2)

One Groupmax domain can contain up to 400 Groupmax servers. If you connect more Groupmax servers, divide the servers into Groupmax domains.