This topic introduces the WebSphere Commerce Server instance architecture.
- WebSphere Commerce Server
- The WebSphere Commerce Server is a WebSphere Application Server application that handles the store-and commerce-related functions of an e-commerce solution. The storefront assets and business logic reside in a Web application within the WebSphere Commerce Server. WebSphere Commerce provides a default Web application (Stores.war) for your use, or you can create your own.
A Web application can contain the assets for one store, or the assets for multiple stores. When a Web application contains multiple storefronts and business logic, the assets for each store are separated by store directory (storedir).
- WebSphere Commerce Server instance
- A WebSphere Commerce Server instance is a deployed WebSphere Application Server application with an associated database. An instance can support multiple stores. All stores in an instance share the same database and may share some types of data, for example, catalog, fulfillment, or receipts. All stores in an instance also share the same EJB container.
You can create a single store in an instance, or you can create multiple stores in an instance. For more information on multiple stores in instance, see Examples of multiple stores in a single instance.