FireStart Server
The FireStart Server is purely for modeling, with data access on an SQL database as well as on the Active Directory. The database connection is provided from the server, as it is configured during installation. To send tasks to a specific user, they have to be assigned to a role. Users come from the Active Directory, therefore, the server needs a connection to the Active Directory.
The Server consists of 3 components which are the Workflow Engine, the Task Deployment, and the Data Connection.
Workflow Engine
The Workflow Engine is responsible for the execution of workflows. It enables activities to be loaded and executed in the workflow.
Data Connection
The server is responsible for the database connection. Various adapters (SharePoint, OleDb, ODBC, CRM, etc.) enable the data exchange with third-party systems. In addition to that, it allows event handling if the third-party systems support events.
Task Dispatcher
The Task Dispatcher is responsible for Task Deployment. It is used for the distribution of tasks to different portals.
RemoteEventReceiver (RER)
The RER is responsible for receiving events (change in any data, adding new data) from connected third party systems, especially SharePoint. It must be accessible from the third-party system and the RER must have a connection to the FireStart server. By default, the RER is running on the same host as the FireStart Server, but for security or availability reasons, it can be hosted on a different host.
Process Portal
The Process Portal allows you to publish workflows and access them over the internet. Moreover, you can start a workflow from the Process Portal anytime. For more information, see Process Portal.
Important: For the installation of the Process Portal, the Internet Information Service (IIS) is required.
Portals
A portal is a third-party system that receives tasks which are sent from the FireStart Client. By default, the task is only shown in the Task Designer (FireStart Client), so you have to configure the task activity and assign a role. In the role definition itself, you select portal bindings, allowing that role to receive the task.
Currently, we have two portals where tasks can be shown, managed, and stored. The mentioned portals are SharePoint and Outlook. With the Outlook Add-In, it is also possible to receive the task with the same looks as in the FireStart Client. Normally the e-mail contains a link and with that link, you reach the task, which is a little bit more involved than using the Add-In.