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Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
 Collaborative Workgroup Architecture

The following document is posted by the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) in accordance with the
requirements of the Fannie Mae Foundation’s October 2001 grant in support of LIIF’s continued
information technology (IT) development. Materials posted by LIIF outline the organization’s
strategic IT plan, as well as document the implementation process of this plan. LIIF’s IT plan
included customization of loan servicing software, report automation, impact statistics generation,
fund administration, and asset liability monitoring. LIIF’s knowledge and experience developing this
IT workplan is posted as an aid to other non-profit Community Development Financial Institutions
(CDFIs) who may be generating their own IT workplan and who may find the subsequent materials
helpful in that regard.
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
 Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Desktop Database Architecture
User PC
Database
Application
Network
File Server
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Desktop Database Architecture
User PC
Database
Application
Select Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Network
File Server
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Desktop Database Architecture
User PC
Database
Application
Select Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Loan Table
Network
File Server
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Desktop Database Architecture
User PC
Database
Application
Select Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Loan Table
Network
File Server
Database
File
Final selection of Loan record
From loan table
Occurs in client database
Application.
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Desktop Database Architecture
Reasonably efficient on single PC
 Barely adequate on a LAN
 Unacceptable for a WAN
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Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Desktop Database Architecture
Unacceptable query response times across
WAN:
Transfer Time for 6 Mb Table:
3.6 minutes at 384 kbps
10.8 minutes at 128 kbps
47.7 minutes at 28.8 kbps
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Client-Server Database Architecture
User PC
Client
Application
Network
Database Server
Database
Server
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Client-Server Database Architecture
User PC
Network
Database Server
Client
Application
Select Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Query sent to Database Server
Database
Server
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Client-Server Database Architecture
User PC
Network
Database Server
Client
Application
Select Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Query sent to Database Server
Database
Server
Selection of Loan record
From loan table
occurs in Database Server.
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Client-Server Database Architecture
User PC
Network
Database Server
Client
Application
Select Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Query sent to Database Server
Database
Server
Selection of Loan record
From loan table
occurs in Database Server.
Database Sever returns 1 Loan record
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Client-Server Database Architecture
User PC
Network
Database Server
Client
Application
Select Loan record
Where Loan Number = 123
Query sent to Database Server
Database
Server
Selection of Loan record
From loan table
occurs in Database Server.
Database Sever returns 1 Loan record
Client application
Displays Loan record 123
Database
File
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Client-Server Database Architecture
Advantages
 Very Efficient across WAN
28.8 kbps
1-10 active users
128 kbps
10-500 active users
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Client-Server Database Architecture
Advantages
 Very Efficient across WAN
28.8 kbps
1-10 active users
128 kbps
10-500 active users
Disadvantages
 Requires installing client application on
every user workstation
 Unusable if WAN is down
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Replicating Database Architecture
Replication
Server(s)
LIHF Home Office
Replicated
Data
Replication Server(s) are
responsible for coordinating
all user changes to data:
WAN
Replication
Server(s)
LIHF Branch Office
Replicated
Data
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Replicating Database Architecture
Advantages
 Users experience fast response times because
replicated databases are local databases
 Replication database tolerate slow and
intermittent WANs
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Replicating Database Architecture
Advantages
 Users experience fast response times because
replicated databases are local databases
 Replication database tolerate slow and
intermittent WANs
Disadvantages
 Replication servers must be installed in each
branch office.
 Inevitable data concurrency problems must be
Copyright 2002: LIIF
manually reconciled
Technology Architecture Review
Replicating Database Architecture
Typical Replication Server Based Applications:
 Network Security (Domain Server)
 Email & Collaborative Workgroup
 Geographically Distributed Custom Database
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Terminal Server Architecture
(Traditional Windows Architecture)
Windows Application
Mouse Move
Messages
Screen Paint
Instructions
Keyboard
Character
Messages
User PC
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Terminal Server Architecture
Terminal Server
For Each User:
• Windows Application
• ‘Screen Scraper’
Interpreter
Network Traffic for each User:
• Mouse Move Messages
• Keyboard Character Messages
• Screen Paint Instructions
Client Screen
Painter
Mouse Move
Messages
Screen Paint
Instructions
Keyboard
Character
Messages
User PC
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Terminal Server Architecture
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Advantages
– No installation of application software on client
PC
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Terminal Server Architecture
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Advantages
– No installation of application software on client
PC
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Disadvantages
– Requires very large servers and fast networks
– Many windows applications do not perform well
in terminal server environment
– New, untested technology
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Web Application Architecture
Web Application:
• Accesses and updates data in a database
( More than a static Web site.)
• Contains application programming logic in Web Server
Web
Application
Internet
User PC
With Web
Browser
Database
Server
Database
File
Web Server
Database Server
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Web Application Architecture
Advantages
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Allows application access from any location
Standard, ubiquitous browser interface
Particularly suited for external users
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Web Application Architecture
Advantages
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Allows application access from any location
Standard, ubiquitous browser interface
Particularly suited for external users
Disadvantages
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Requires instensive use of Web server resources
Inferior user interface (compared to Windows)
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Web Application Architecture
New Loan Servicing Packages (re)written
using Web Application Architecture:
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
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
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Desktop Database
Client-Server Database
Replicating Database
Terminal Server (Thin Client)
Web Application (Thin Client)
Extending a Desktop Database Application
across a WAN
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Extending a Desktop Database
Application across a WAN
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Run the application in a Terminal Server
environment.
 Create a Web Application ‘front end’.
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Extending a Desktop Database
Application across a WAN
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Run the application in a Terminal Server
environment.
 Create a Web Application ‘front end’.
 If the branch offices only need read
access:
– Copy the database across the WAN.
– Create reports and distribute them via e-mail.
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
 Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Database Application Architecture
 Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Makes it easy for teams to:
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Makes it easy for teams to:
– Share information
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Makes it easy for teams to:
– Share information
– Work together on projects
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Makes it easy for teams to:
– Share information
– Work together on projects
– Assign task responsibilities
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Makes it easy for teams to:
– Share information
– Work together on projects
– Assign task responsibilities
– Establish task deadlines
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Makes it easy for teams to:
– Share information
– Work together on projects
– Assign task responsibilities
– Establish task deadlines
– Track task status
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Makes it easy for teams to:
– Share information
– Work together on projects
– Assign task responsibilities
– Establish task deadlines
– Track task status
– Show team members their work pending
Copyright 2002: LIIF
by priority and deadline
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Sequence tasks in a complex workflow:
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Sequence tasks in a complex workflow:
– Control workflow with business rules
(Business rules can be based on the results of the previous
step)
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Sequence tasks in a complex workflow:
– Control workflow with business rules
(Business rules can be based on the results of the previous
step)
– Generate ticklers and reminders of work to be
done
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture

Sequence tasks in a complex workflow:
– Control workflow with business rules
(Business rules can be based on the results of the previous
step)
– Generate ticklers and reminders of work to be
done
– Generate alarms when work is not done
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture

Sequence tasks in a complex workflow:
– Control workflow with business rules
(Business rules can be based on the results of the previous
step)
– Generate ticklers and reminders of work to be
done
– Generate alarms when work is not done
– Track and analyze historical performance for
each workflow
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Calendars and Scheduling
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Calendars and Scheduling
 Tasks and Contacts
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Calendars and Scheduling
 Tasks and Contacts
 Document Management
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Calendars and Scheduling
 Tasks and Contacts
 Document Management
 Workflow automation
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Calendars and Scheduling
Tasks and Contacts
Document Management
Workflow automation
Ticklers, reminders and alarms
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Calendars and Scheduling
Tasks and Contacts
Document Management
Workflow automation
Ticklers, reminders and alarms
Configurable views and forms
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
Configuration
& Scripting
Collaborative Workgroup
Services
E-mail Messaging Services
OS & Foundation Technologies
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
 Runs on top of E-mail Messaging Services
Configuration
& Scripting
Collaborative Workgroup
Services
E-mail Messaging Services
OS & Foundation Technologies
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
 Runs on top of E-mail Messaging Services
 Applications developed using configuration
and VB ‘scripting’
Configuration
& Scripting
Collaborative Workgroup
Services
E-mail Messaging Services
OS & Foundation Technologies
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Lotus Notes / Lotus Domino Server
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Lotus Notes / Lotus Domino Server
 MS Outlook / Exchange Server
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Lotus Notes / Lotus Domino Server
 MS Outlook / Exchange Server
– Standard Component Object Model
– Same Script language as MS Office 2000
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Lotus Notes / Lotus Domino Server
 MS Outlook / Exchange Server
– Standard Component Object Model
– Same Script language as MS Office 2000
– 80 ++ Collaboration & Workflow Addons
utilities built by third parities
Copyright 2002: LIIF
Technology Architecture Review
Collaborative Workgroup Architecture
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Lotus Notes / Lotus Domino Server
 MS Outlook / Exchange Server
– Standard Component Object Model
– Same Script language as MS Office 2000
– 80 ++ Collaboration & Workflow Addons
utilities built by third parities
– Examples:
• Keyflow ® Keyfile
• WorkFolder ® Eastman Software
Copyright 2002: LIIF