1.1 Architectural Overview

The Novell Linux Point of Service architecture consists of one centralized Administration Server, one or more Branch Servers, and Point of Service terminals, which can be standard PCs running retail check-out applications or specialized point-of-sale machines such as cash registers and customer kiosks (Figure 1-1).

Figure 1-1 Novell Linux Point of Service system architecture

Novell Linux Point of Service system architecture

All system information (system structure, the configuration and deployment method for each Branch Server and Point of Service terminal, image information, and so forth) is stored in an LDAP database on the Administration Server. The Administration Server is also the master repository for the images required to boot and configure Point of Service terminals and it provides the utilities required to build those images.

NOTE:By default, the utilities required to build Point of Service images are installed as part of the Administration Server installation. If you have a large system and want to offload the image building function from the Administration Server, you can create a dedicated image building server. For more information, see Setting Up the Administration Server or Setting Up a Dedicated Image Building Serverin the Novell Linux Point of Service 9 Installation Guide.

During the initial configuration, each Branch Server downloads the system information and images required for its local Point of Service terminals from the Administration Server. The Point of Service terminals, in turn, download their respective images from the Branch Server when they boot.

WARNING:Because Branch Servers contain sensitive information, they should be secured. You should close unused ports and allow only the root user to have access to the server console.

Novell Linux Point of Service is broadly scalable so that a small shop with five Point of Service terminals can be managed just as well as a large chain with a thousand branches. For organizations with several Branch Servers, the link between the branch and administrative servers is maintained over WAN links. During execution of administrative tasks, such as installation of new Point of Service terminals in a branch, steps must be taken to ensure that the WAN link to the Administration Server is available.

The Novell Linux Point of Service architecture is highly centralized; however, administrative tasks can be delegated to subunits for role-based administration. Moreover, although the LDAP directory is not replicated on the Branch Server, the Branch Server provides all the services necessary for the operation and management of the Point of Service terminals. Consequently, the Branch Server and Point of Service terminals can function independently of the Administration Server in the event of server failure or a downed connection.

The following sections review each component of the Novell Linux Point of Service architecture.