Switch consists of 5 applications components that are all installed at once when running the Switch installer.
Switch Server
The Switch Server is the core engine of Switch. It runs in the background to execute all processes and does not have its own interface.
Switch Server is started and terminated by the Switch Watchdog, an application designed to monitor Switch Server. The Switch Watchdog doesn't have an interface either and is started and terminated by the Designer, unless the Switch Watchdog is set up as a Windows service. In that case, the Switch Server is started automatically when a user logs in, and Switch can continue processing even if the Switch Designer is closed.
Switch Designer
The Switch Designer is the Switch user interface. It allows you to design, activate, and monitor Switch workflows. The Designer communicates with and manages the Switch Server.
The Designer and the Server can run on the same computer to establish a one-on-one communication, but this is not mandatory.
If you install Switch on different computers, you can launch the Designer from another computer and manage the flows remotely. In that case, do not forget to define which users have the right to connect to a given Switch Server by means of the Remote Designer (See Setting up Switch users).
For a detailed overview, refer to the chapter about the Switch graphical user interface.
Switch Web Portal
The Switch Web Portal allows you to connect to the Switch Server through a web browser interface, for example to view log messages or to submit and check jobs without having to use a Switch Designer. Note that submitting and checking jobs through the Web Portal requires a SwitchClient license. Access rights for individual users or user groups can be set through the Users pane.
For more information, refer to Using the Switch Web Portal.
Switch Web Services
The Switch Web Services take care of all data communication between Switch and its client applications such as the Switch Web Portal, our customers' own clients etc. It's part of the default Switch installation.
SwitchScripter
SwitchScripter offers a scripting development environment, that is, it allows creating and testing script packages for use with Switch.
The Switch installer automatically installs SwitchScripter. Although there is no technical requirement, SwitchScripter usually runs on the same computer as the Designer.
For more information, see Scripting Module.