Server Configuration

The following illustration depicts a typical Web server configuration you would use with the Web Alerts feature.

Firewall - the Ektron CMS400.NET business tier must have Web access to the asynchronous server. The business tier maintains the CMS files. This configuration enables proper communication between Ektron CMS400.NET and the asynchronous processor.

- The asynchronous processor must have port 25 (SMTP) access to a valid mail server to send emails

- The mail server (omitted from the illustration) must be allowed to send out port 25 (SMTP) traffic and can be on the Async server

Queuing - Message queuing must be installed on the Async server.

You must create a message queue on the Async machine and record its name. The message queue is specified in the exe.config file for the service, and in the web.config file for the Web Service interface.

CMS - The web.config file includes a key for the location of the asynchronous processor. This needs to be verified as working.

Other - IIS must be installed on the asynchronous processor. IIS allows a Web service call to schedule a file download and send commands.

Ektron recommends that the Async machine only allow HTTP traffic from Ektron CMS400.NET servers. This provides additional security on the Async processor.

Learn About Verifying the Web Service Connection

Verifying Connections

You can verify the Web service > queue connection by

- leaving the Ektron asynchronous processor service off, submitting content with notifications, and verifying that a message arrived in the queue

- turning on journaling for the queue. Submit a message in the queue. The Ektron asynchronous processor service picks it up and places it in the journaled messages.

- turning on logging for the Ektron asynchronous processor service

To verify the CMS > Web service connection, open the asynchronous processor location inside a Web browser and test the Web services.

To verify the writing of files, ensure that Ektron CMS400.NET has write access to the [sitepath]subscriptions directory and submit content that will trigger notifications. This action places a file inside that directory.

To verify that the Ektron asynchronous processor service can download a file, open a Web browser on the Async machine and connect to the location of the notification command files. Attempt to download one.