2.3 POSBranch Server

For small stores where the Branch Server runs only the Point of Service infrastructure, the Branch Server can be deployed as a control terminal running on Point of Service hardware. Although the POSBranch Server configuration is designed for systems that do not run Point of Service applications, it can run some applications if the terminal has sufficient memory and disk space.

NOTE:This implementation of the POSBranch Server allows the Point of Service applications to run under a non-root account.

The POSBranch Server definition is predefined in the branch.xml image template.

The following sections provide basic information about POSBranch Server structure and functions:

For detailed information on the POSBranch image, see Section 4.5, POSBranch Images.

For information on building a POSBranch image, see Section 10.2, Building POSBranch Images.

2.3.1 Hardware

The Point of Service terminal used for the Branch Server implementation must be a disk-based system and can have an optional added communications adapter.

2.3.2 Operating System

The operating system for the POSBranch Server is built from a SLES 9 source.

2.3.3 High Availability Configuration

You can provide system redundancy and failover for the POSBranch Server in the same way that you would for a standard Branch Server.

For further information, see Section 2.2.6, High Availability Configuration.

2.3.4 LDAP Objects

Because the POSBranch Server fills the function of both a Branch Server and a Point of Service terminal, you must create a Branch Server object (scBranchServer) and a workstation object (scWorkstation) for the same physical box.

For more information on these objects, see Section 5.0, The Novell Linux Point of Service LDAP Directory.

2.3.5 LDAP Access

The parameters under which the POSBranch Server accesses the LDAP directory are the same as a standard Branch Server.

For further information, see Section 2.2.3, LDAP Access.

2.3.6 Administrative Tasks

You can perform the same administrative tasks on the POSBranch Server as a standard Branch Server.

For further information, see Section 2.2.4, Administrative Tasks.

2.3.7 Services

The POSBranch Server provides the same services as a standard Branch Server.

For further information, see Section 2.2.5, Services.

2.3.8 TFTP Directory Structure

The TFTP directory structure on the POSBranch Server is the same as a standard Branch Server.

For further information, see Section 2.2.7, TFTP Server Directory Structure.