AR System environments
AR System is very flexible and can be deployed in a number of configurations. For example, it is possible to deploy the entire architecture with the database, AR System server, web server, and mid tier all hosted on a single physical machine. Alternatively, for deployments hosting larger numbers of users, there may be multiple AR System servers connected to a clustered database with web servers and mid tier servers hosted on several virtual and physical machines. The following diagrams show an example of two such architectures:
The best practice for managing changes that affect any type of production application is to test changes in a non-production environment and then promote the change to the production system. This practice is the cornerstone of change management for any application. Applying changes directly to an in-use production system carries high risks of affecting the success of the business.
Depending on the size of the enterprise, the number and purpose of the non-production systems varies. However, we will typically see one or more of these AR System types:
System Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
Development | The initial system in that changes are implemented and tested prior to presentation to the business. |
QA | Used to present changes to the business and achieve sign off prior to implementation in production. Can be used for training users. |
Pre-Production | A mirror of the production environment used by support staff to investigate issues without affecting production data. Used as a final test of deploying changes before deployment into production. |
Production | The system used by end users to manage business activities. |
We refer to a collection of systems through the changes that are promoted and that share the same set of ITSM companies as an environment. The following diagrams show three different environments of increasing complexity.
The principle of promoting data through environments in a controlled way is the baseline change management practice that underpins the safe management of data.