Private Cloud – description

The SafeQ Private Cloud Architecture enables simple, completely central management of the entire print environment across multiple locations all from a single web interface. Print administrators spend significantly 
less time configuring and managing the whole infrastructure.

Private Cloud technology enables smart agent distribution and deployment on remote locations, optimizes network usage, and provides job continuity if communication fails between a remote location and the central YSoft SafeQ CML location. At each remote site, an Offline Remote Spooler (ORS) can be installed on an existing print server or on any other available server that the office allocates for that purpose. The ORS agent is deployed from the central location and can be customized to be deployed unattended, with parameters configured in advance.

YSoft SafeQ Offline Remote Spooler (ORS) is a proxy application that can run on a local print server or on a YSoft SafeQ Appliance - SafeQube. An ORS provides all the functions of YSoft SafeQ (as described in these Wiki pages) with the exception of system administration. The ORS contains the YSoft SafeQ core component with spooling capabilities, the terminal server component for embedded terminal support (YSoft SafeQ 5 only), and a data/configuration cache.

• The ORS does not include a database. Data are stored in the persistent cache in the application folder. (The application must have Write access to the folder.) Data are stored unencrypted.

• The ORS has no configuration/administrative interface; management is centralized via the CML.

• ORS deployment is fully automated via an MSI package. The only configuration option is the IP address of the CML server.

• The ORS is a stateless component; in case of failure, a simple restart is sufficient.

• Data synchronization is handled in "best-effort-mode," which means that whenever the ORS has an online connection, it exchanges job tickets and user authentication tickets with the CML server.

• ORS data caches are loaded automatically along with the relevant configuration after the first connection to the CML or whenever the data cache has been deleted by the administrator (recovery).

• For more information, see Typical deployment scenarios document.

• For configuration and deployment information, see YSoft SafeQ 5 installation procedure document.

• For functionality limitations and caveats for remote locations, see ORS limitations.

Based on analysis of Private Cloud use by real customers, the data traffic between ORS and CML components is less than 5% of the print volume managed by each individual ORS.

Requirements / typical architecture overview

The architecture of the YSoft SafeQ solution as implemented in the print environment is as follows:

• Customer print servers manage all printing and copying locally and are equipped with an installed YSoft SafeQ Offline Remote Services(ORS) service. 

  • This service is stateless and does not include an interface for configuration, database, or management. It is used to handle print jobs and MFP sessions and for exchanging authentication and reporting data with the central data center. 

  • The ORS contains a data cache so that if connection to the data center fails, the ORS can operate autonomously for a limited time (configurable). 

  • The ORS server can directly handle a maximum of 50 connected devices.

• Distributed data center with YSoft SafeQ Enterprise Central Management Layer (CML) cluster (2-4 servers).

  • The CML provides central administration, accounting, and print job security for the head office and for branch offices.  

  • The CML cluster can directly handle printing services for locations directly connected to the data center (maximum of 200 devices directly connected to one CML server).

• The data center also includes YSoft SafeQ Central Reporting Services (CRS Enterprise) installed on a separate server at headquarters. 

  • The CRS server receives and processes reporting data from all connected YSoft SafeQ CML clusters and provides access to Usage and Cost reports via MS SQL OLAP and Analysis Services.

User stories

1. ORS – As an administrator, I want to use the YSoft SafeQ system at many of our company locations and manage all the locations from a single point.

Dependencies / nonfunctional requirements

• Online TCP/IP network connection (64kbps+) between CML and ORS components

Caveats

• Each ORS server must be connected to one CML cluster [1-4 servers].

• The CML system serves as an independent management and integration point and supports up to 500 connected ORS servers per one CML server. NOTE: It is not recommended to connect more than 10 ORS servers to a SINGLE (not clustered) CML server.

• Each CRS can collect data from up to 100 CML systems. However, every CML with connected ORS servers is considered to be an independent installation of YSoft SafeQ, with separate configuration and management.

• If an ORS is in offline mode (that is, without connection to the CML), new users cannot register. See Offline Mode ORS limitations for more details.