SharePoint Architecture

Today I am defining the normal Architecture of SharePoint -

Architecture of SharePoint –

1-Tier: all above layers can only run in one computer. In order to achieve 1-Tier, we need to use the embedded database system, which cannot run in an individual process. Otherwise, there will be at least 2-Tier because non-embedded databases usually can run in an individual computer (tier).   ​

2-Tier: Either presentation layer and application layer can only run in one computer, or application layer and data layer can only run in one computer. The whole application cannot run in more than 2 computers. ​

3-Tier: the simplest case of N-Tier architecture; all above three layers are able to run in three separate computers. Practically, these three layers can also be deployed in one computer (3-Tier architecture, but deployed as 1-Tier). ​

N-Tier: 3 or more tiers architecture. Diagram 2 below depicts a typical N-Tier architecture. Some layers in 3-Tier can be broken further into more layers. These broken layers may be able to run in more tiers. For example, application layer can be broken into business layer, persistence layer or more. Presentation layer can be broken into client layer and client presenter layer. In diagram 2, in order to claim a complete N-Tier architecture, client presenter layer, business layer and data layer should be able to run in three separate computers (tiers). Practically, all these layers can also be deployed in one computer (tier). ​

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Usage of Different Tier Architectures of SharePoint -

1-Tier: Normally this architecture is used in development environment.  This is a standalone SharePoint installation that contains all the services, web applications, SQL server, Central Administration in one machine. We can also install a complete farm SharePoint but we will not add any other server in this farm otherwise it will become 2 or more tier architecture.​

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2-Tier: Normally this architecture is used in development/preprod environment. There are two machine that are sharing the load from SharePoint. This can be used where we have SQL server installed on different machine. In this mode we can use both standalone installation or farm installation but if we install a farm then we will not add any other server in this farm otherwise it will become 3 or more tier architecture.​

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3-Tier/N-Tier: This is a complete SharePoint farm installation, where we a have a Database server, Application server and Web Front End (WFE) servers. This architecture is used in Preprod or Prod Environment.

In a typical 3-tier architecture there is -​

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One Database server – This server contains the SQL server database, that hosts the SharePoint and its databases. ​

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One Application server – Normally this server hosts Central Administration, and SharePoint services and service applications. ​

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Two Web Front End servers – This server hosts all web custom applications in the SharePoint farm, most of custom SharePoint features, wsp solutions are installed on these servers only. ​

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A WFE can be identified by "Microsoft SharePoint Foundation Web Application" service. This service is not started on a application server. 

SharePoint Usage

Today I am Providing some basic and useful information about SharePoint -

What is SharePoint?

SharePoint is web based portal that uses IIS web sites to share different type of data and information securely. This is a very easy tool that can be used by any size of organizations may be small, Medium or large. SharePoint is available onprime (local Machine) or online. SharePoint can be installed on a Windows Server Machine and can be accessed from anywhere in the network. Even without knowing the physical location of the files. SharePoint keeps its data on SQL server. Basically SharePoint is data and information Sharing Software.

As per Microsoft –

SharePoint is a collaboration environment that organizations of all sizes can use to increase the efficiency of business processes.​

​SharePoint sites provide secure environments that administrators can configure to provide personalized access to documents and other information. Search features enable users to find content efficiently regardless of the physical location of data.​

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc303422.aspx

Usage of SharePoint –

SharePoint is very useful in different scenario. Here I am defining some of them.

Documents – User can store documents in SharePoint and share it with other users and limits then from performing the operations on the documents. SharePoint Usages Permissions that can be given of item levels that is different items can have different permissions. And the allowed users can perform task on the SharePoint.

Calendars – User can store calendars events and create your schedule and store in SharePoint and share it with other users and limits then from performing the operations on the events. SharePoint Usages Permissions that can be given of item levels that is different items can have different permissions. And the allowed users can perform task on the SharePoint.

Surveys – SharePoint can be used to do surveys in your local environments and online environments as well.

Task and Projects – You can manage your tasks and projects in SharePoint and assign them to related persons as well.

Collaboration – SharePoint’s Newfeed, user profile, collaboration features enable user to share their thoughts, like and comments on the each other posts, Share their Knowledge.

SharePoint is capable to send email alerts, automation tasks, data sharing in a secure environment.