MQSeries.net :: View topic - WBIA and WBIMB integration: Architecture and best practices

vilyin

I am trying to work out the best way to architect WBIA /WBIMB system.

Let's say we have an environment with all the applications coming to the WBI brokersâ€™ environment through WMQ Gateways. Some of these apps come in through the SVRCONNs, others that are running on AS/400s and mainframes connect to the local QMgrs which in turn "talk" to the Gateways' QMgrs.
Let's also say that we have several (N) external systems we are trying to reach out to using WBIA Adapter, such as DB2 on mainframe, SAP, Siebel, etc.

We know that WBIA "talk" to WBIMB through WMQ. We also know that Adapters require WBIA framework.
So the question is where we should install WBIA Adapters along with any other necessary components.

One school of thought says that Adapters should be installed locally on external systems. This would mean that 1) WBIA framework, 2) the corresponding Adapter and 3) WMQ QMgr would need to be installed/configured on each of the N of external systems. Adapters in turn would transfer data to the WBIMB broker over MQ.

Another school of though would say: no, install/configure WBIA framework along with all the Adapters you need at one location and than connect those Adapters to the external systems. This WBIA location can be either co-localized with WBIMB broker or sit on a separate set of hardware.

Cons and pros:
The former scenario - Adapters are at the external system
Pros - Adapters are installed locally to the targeted external system. Data flows to the broker over the reliable MQ transport.
Cons - Need to install WBIA framework and WMQ and create/manage/maintain QMgr at each of the external systems.
Also need to make sure that all the external system platforms support WBIA. There is also additional cost associated with running WBIA&WMQ on each additional system.

The later scenario - centralized WBIA location
Pros - Centralized location for WBIA framework, WMQ and all the Adapters. Ease of management, administration. Pay only for one location.
Cons - Adapters will need to reach to remote external systems. There is no common reliable transport.

Do the choice depend on the N number - let's say if we know that N is less than 5 than go with the former approach and if more than that - go with a later one.

I myself am still leaning towards the second approach. If this approach is "the best practice" approach, would I have WBIA on the same hardware as brokers or I should create a WBIA "tier" that would talk to WBIMB "tier". Again I am leaning towards the later.

Any comments and sharing of the experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Vitaliy