Autodesk 15606-011408-9320 User Guide - Page 52

advantage of multiple servers. If your server receives numerous client requests for Autodesk MapGuide, you will end up with many separate instances of the CGI agent communicating with Autodesk MapGuide Server. This can adversely affect your performance.
ISAPI The ISAPI (Internet Server Application Programming Interface) agent is an alternative to CGI. It is an API that extends the capabilities of Microsoft Internet Information Server. (If your web server is Netscape, use CGI or NSAPI instead.) The ISAPI agent is in the form of a DLL (Dynamic Link Library). The ISAPI DLL resides on the computer, so it is faster than the CGI agent. It is also fairly easy to install. However, you can install the ISAPI agent only on a Microsoft Internet Information Server.
NSAPI The NSAPI (Netscape Server API) agent is similar to the ISAPI agent except that it works on the Netscape Enterprise Server. Like ISAPI, it is faster than CGI, making it better for your server's performance. Using a Remote MapAgent The Autodesk MapGuide MapAgent uses RPCs (remote procedure calls) to forward client requests for map data to Autodesk MapGuide Server. Because RPC calls can be made across a network, the MapAgent does not need to reside on the same computer as Autodesk MapGuide Server. This is useful for enhancing security, because it allows you to publish maps from your public server while keeping your data, Autodesk MapGuide Server, and the communication between them secure on your private internal LAN. For example, you could have your web server, MapAgent, HTML files, and supporting files for the HTML files (such as bitmaps that appear in the web page, not within the map) all on a public server outside of the firewall or other Internet security mechanism you are using. Inside the firewall, you would have Autodesk MapGuide Server and your resources (databases, SDFs, and raster images that appear within the map). With this setup, not only is all of your data behind the firewall, but all communication between Autodesk MapGuide Server and your data takes place behind the firewall. This approach allows the whole world to use your maps, but it minimizes the possibility of hackers accessing your data files or taking advantage of the communication between Autodesk MapGuide Server and your databases. The only hole in the firewall is between the MapAgent and Autodesk MapGuide Server, and the data passed between them is only useful for display in Autodesk MapGuide Viewer. For more information, see "Data File Placement" on page 57. 52 | Chapter 3 Designing Your System