By definition, a virtual search server is a collection of one or more indexes and their related configuration files. Indexes and templates are at the heart of a virtual search server. An index is an optimized binary file that contains keywords found in documents hosted on a Web or file server. Indexes are used by QuickFinder to return search results to users’ Web browsers. Templates are HTML documents that contain dynamic content. The dynamic content is generated by the use of search parameters and variables inserted in various places in the templates. Templates are customizable and are used for several things, including displaying search and print results to users.
For more information about templates, see Section 11.0, Understanding Templates.
Before creating virtual search servers, particularly large or mission-critical ones, you should carefully plan how to best set up QuickFinder to meet requirements of your search services. A search service used by a small-to-medium-sized department in a company requires different planning than a search service intended to serve thousands of customers on an enterprise-wide intranet Web site.
For information about how to plan an effective search service, see Section 3.3, Designing Your Search Solution.