One server, many connectors

A key feature of the DME server is that it can be installed into enterprises which are geographically separated into many locations and segmented into many networks, possibly using different operating systems and even different collaboration systems. This flexibility is due to the DME connector. The concept of connectors allows for the installation of a "DME module" wherever the circumstances call for it. The only requirement for installing a DME connector is that the DME users for the connector in question are found in the same LDAP/AD directory as that of the main DME server.

There is no such thing as a "stand-alone DME server" - at least one connector must be installed to service the users, but it may be installed on the same machine as the DME server.

As of DME 4.0, the installation of a G/On server (or DME AppBox Gateway) is required to support the licensing model and to provide the DME AppBox functionality to DME clients.

A few examples of the use of connectors:

1. The head office is situated in Cape Town, South Africa, and this is also where the DME server is installed. A branch office in Burundi suffers from expensive and unstable international phone lines. A DME connector is installed in the Burundi office, servicing the employees working out of that office only. The connector connects to the DME server at regular intervals, and the connector handles the notification and synchronization using local phone lines.
2. The head office in London, UK, is connected with a branch office across town using a private wide-area network (WAN). However, because the IT security policy restricts the use of firewall rules for incoming traffic from the DME server, a DME connector is installed at the branch office. Since the connector always initiates communication with the DME server, no rules for incoming traffic need to be defined on the head office firewall.
3. A company running Lotus Domino acquires a company which runs MS Exchange. Before the two systems are integrated, a DME connector is set up at the acquired company to service mobile Exchange users.
4. A large company can split the processing load by installing the DME server and database on one machine, and a number of DME connectors on one or more server machines.

So there can be many reasons to set up connectors instead of letting all users run on the same DME server: Cost control, stability, security, compatibility, and performance.

The DME architecture shown by the above examples can be illustrated thus:

Please note that there are many ways in which a DME system can be set up. The model outlined above is not prescriptive.

The following sections go into more detail about the server and the connector components.