The tools for your Data Center management are collected under the Service Director.
In spite of the fact that Parallels Business Automation - Standard operates the virtual-server farm, a Data Center should be understood in common sense, i.e., as a centralized storage facility to retain database information related to decision-making processes.
In general, Parallels Business Automation - Standard Data Center activity includes the following:
The hardware configuration to run Parallels Business Automation - Standard includes one computer for Management Node and two or more computers for Hardware Nodes.
A Management Node is a computer (or a specially configured Virtuozzo Container) used for management. It runs services for web-based management interface and the database containing information about customers and services. The Management Node also establishes connection with domain registrars and payment gates.
A Hardware Node is a computer that runs the software (Virtuozzo, Plesk, etc.) that provides services for customers or a third-party software (server lease, collocation or dedicated hosting).
Dedicated third-party servers can be grouped into racks. A rack in Parallels Business Automation - Standard is a logical container, it is just a record in the Parallels Business Automation - Standard database. Logical racks can follow the actual servers grouping at your Data Center.
The Parallels Business Automation - Standard Data Center management tools allow managing the following servers:
In Parallels Business Automation - Standard, the Virtuozzo, Plesk, or Sitebuilder servers are called Nodes. And third-party servers are called Servers.
Nodes and third-party servers can be registered and managed using the Service Director and, depending on a server designation, using the Plesk Manager, Virtuozzo Manager, Sitebuilder Manager, or Servers Manager for Plesk, Virtuozzo, Sitebuilder, or third-party servers respectively.
Virtual Plesk Nodes (Parallels Plesk Control Panel installed inside a Virtuozzo Container) are registered automatically as the Plesk nodes, after the Plesk Virtual Node subscription is activated.