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Introduction

 

This overview describes the functional components of a PeerLink environment. In this discussion, we identify the primary components of a PeerLink installation.

 

 

PeerLink Architecture

 

PeerLink solutions, also known as "Peerlets", have local and remote characteristics that form the basis of a distributed application framework. A PeerLink installation is composed of three primary components:

 

1. PeerLink Hub

 

The PeerLink Hub is the central component of the PeerLink framework. All PeerLink solutions are installed, configured and started at the PeerLink Hub. Peerlets are comprised of central and distributed components that function in the PeerLink Hub and PeerLink Agents respectively. The PeerLink Hub requires connectivity to the PeerLink Broker for all messaging activity.

 

2. PeerLink Agent

 

The PeerLink Agent is a lightweight component that is installed on a networked host that enables it to participate in a PeerLink solution. A PeerLink Agent invokes the distributed functions of a Peerlet from messages received through the PeerLink Broker. Like the PeerLink Hub, the PeerLink Agent connects to the PeerLink Broker to send and receive messages.

 

3. PeerLink Broker

 

The PeerLink Broker makes up the central messaging system that supports PeerLink applications. The PeerLink Broker provides the core communication facility that connects the PeerLink Hub and Agents in a PeerLink environment. Peerlets running at the PeerLink Hub interact with the participating Agents through the PeerLink Broker.

 

Below is a diagram of a typical deployment where the PeerLink Hub & PeerLink Broker and all PeerLink Agents are on separate networks connected via a VPN. This deployment also has the PeerLink Hub & PeerLink Broker running on the same machine.

 

 

 

 

 

The following diagram shows an advanced deployment where there are three distinct networks located at three disparate locations connected via the Internet. The PeerLink Hub is located on network 1, and a PeerLink Broker is installed on the edge of each network for performance reasons, with multiple agents located on all three networks.