Ni3 Technology Overview

 

Ni3 is built and runs on Java technology, which is a proven infrastructure designed to provide enterprise-class security, performance and reliability. The Ni3 server can be hosted in the cloud or installed on-premise, including the option to alleviate installation pains by deploying Ni3 server as a virtual appliance, pre-configured and tested and ready to be deployed (on popular OVF-compliant virtualization platforms).

The Ni3 client application is a web-based application running within popular browsers, or invoked as a downloaded application from the browser. On the client, Ni3 requires Java Runtime Environment 1.6 or higher.

Individual users access the application server through the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed on their PC. The JRE provides the libraries, the Java Virtual Machine, and other components to run applets and applications written in the Java programming language, including easy deployment using the Java Plug-in, which enables applets to run in popular browsers. Communications between Ni3 clients and the Ni3 server are secure via HTTPS on standard port 443 for easy deployment inside corporate firewalls.

The Ni3 database can be populated from external data sources (e.g. client's CRM system) through a server-side interface using our standard web-services API which also offers direct import of .xls, .csv, or XML documents.

Proprietary Technologies

The Ni3 solution includes a lightweight Geographic Information System (GIS) server which renders digitized vector and raster maps. This server has the following characteristics:

  • GIS server contains a geo-database which is able to render appropriate map datasets for viewing within Ni3 according to the geo-position of network elements and the map layer structure.
  • The GIS server is a binary executable and can run on any POSIX compatible platform (Windows, Solaris or Linux).
  • The default map set offered with Ni3 is based on, and adapted from, OpenStreetMaps® and Ni3 does not warrant the quality or accuracy of the map data (map updates are available annually). Clients may choose to use their own map data sets.

Security

Ni3 relies on best security practices to safeguard relationship data against unauthorized access, including:

  • Physical security and perimeter defense
  • Encryption via 128-bit SSL transactions and 1024-bit RSA public keys
  • User authentication via encrypted username and password, plus tracking of active sessions
  • Maintenance of OS patch levels
  • Reliability via redundant components and daily data backup

Installation, Integration and Support

  • Ni3 is available "in the cloud" as a service hosted by Ni3 AG. An on-premise deployment of Ni3 is optional, where the customer provides the hardware and networking infrastructure.
  • For on-premise deployments, in lieu of installing Ni3 directly on customer managed servers, the Ni3 servers may be packaged as a virtual appliance and delivered ready to run on any OVF-compliant virtualization platform.
  • Ni3 is available to assist with installation, integration and support.
  • Customers can distribute the Java runtime environment to users through an administrator interface, via e-mail or web link.
  • The Ni3 client java application is automatically downloaded when the appropriate URL is invoked within a browser.
  • Interfaces with leading CRM and business intelligence solutions can be achieved through server-side integration.
  • Ni3 offers the option of providing full remote management of the Ni3 server, and offers support during normal business hours and additional support through a variety of services packages to meet your specific requirements.

System Requirements

 

Web Client requirements include:

  • Standard web browser (IE6 or later, Firefox 2.0)
  • Java runtime environment 1.6 or later
  • Minimum connection speed of 64K
  • Minimum RAM of 2 GB

Server requirements include:

  • Minimum RAM of 4 GB
  • Minimum disk space of 10 GB (varies by installation depending on modules and data volume)
  • Java EE 5 (Application Server Platform Edition 9)

Operating Systems supported:

  • Sun Solaris 9, 10 (SPARC)
  • Sun Solaris 9, 10 (x86)
  • Linux Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1+
  • Windows Vista

Database Servers supported:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000, 2005 (certified)
  • Oracle 9i, 10g, 11g (certified)
  • PostgreSQL 8.4 (certified)
  • MySQL 5
  • IBM DB2 8.1, 8.2
  • Sybase ASE 12.5, 15

GIS server:

  • GIS server can be deployed on the application server as well as on client machines for optimal performance.
  • Digital maps can require as much as 20 GB of storage (for client-side GIS deployment map data can be sub-setted in order to reduce volume and may be sourced from local hard disk, USB stick, or DVD).
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