VZ Web Server (Thick Client) Deployment

Thick-client deployment methods are required to power Visual Discovery webpages after they have been developed. For more information on the process that converts a Visual Discovery webpage from a development state to a production state, see Deploying Visual Discovery Applications.

The VZ Web Server provides a thick-client, web browser-based application.

WebFOCUS Visual Discovery VZ Web Server (thick client). Thick Client deployment means that the Visual Discovery components run on the workstation of the end user as binary ActiveX controls within an Internet Explorer page. The ActiveX controls are installed on a workstation the first time an end user accesses a webpage that uses them. Webpages that use the visual components contain parameters and scripts to configure them and load data into them from network sources. The server directory from which the webpages are accessed also must contain an LPK file to license the ActiveX controls for use in the client browsers, and the Vz.cab installation file must be stored on the VZ Web Server.

The thick client works with Apache Tomcat™ as both a web server and an application server. IIS can be used as a web server, with Apache Tomcat or another application server supported by WebFOCUS when running with the WebFOCUS Servlet.

An important issue to consider when designing a thick-client Visual Discovery webpage is licensing and the ability of the end user to obtain the necessary files to render the Visual Discovery components. For information on copying the required files, see Deploying WebFOCUS Visual Discovery Applications for VZ Web Server (Thick Client).

The following diagram shows the configuration and processing flow for a thick client.


WebFOCUS