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Data Warehousing Informatica - Interview Questions and Answers
What is a Domain and Node in Informatica?

In the context of Informatica PowerCenter, "Domain" and "Node" are fundamental architectural components that define the structure and operation of the Informatica environment. Here's a breakdown:

Domain :

  • Definition:
    • A Domain is the highest-level administrative unit in Informatica PowerCenter.
    • It represents a security and management boundary.
    • It contains all the services, repositories, and nodes required for running Informatica.
    • It provides a centralized point of control for managing users, security, and resources.
  • Key Characteristics:
    • A single Domain can contain multiple Nodes.
    • It manages user authentication and authorization.
    • It stores metadata about the Informatica environment.
    • It provides a single point of administration for all Informatica services.
  • Purpose:
    • To provide a secure and manageable environment for running Informatica.
    • To centralize the administration of Informatica services.
    • To provide a framework for scaling Informatica deployments.

Node :

  • Definition:
    • A Node is a physical or virtual machine that runs Informatica services.
    • It is a runtime environment that hosts the Informatica Integration Service, Repository Service, and other services.
    • A Node is a member of a Domain.
  • Key Characteristics:
    • A Domain can have one or more Nodes.
    • Each Node has its own set of Informatica services.
    • Nodes can be located on different machines.
    • Nodes are responsible for the execution of the informatica jobs.
  • Purpose:
    • To provide the runtime environment for Informatica services.
    • To distribute the workload of Informatica processing.
    • To provide high availability and fault tolerance.

Relationship :

  • A Domain is a logical grouping of Nodes.
  • Nodes are the physical or virtual machines that execute Informatica services within a Domain.
  • The Domain provides the administrative framework for managing the Nodes and the services they run.

In simpler terms :

  • The Domain is like a company's headquarters, providing overall management and security.
  • The Node is like an individual office or department within the company, where the actual work is performed.

By understanding the concepts of Domains and Nodes, you can effectively manage and scale your Informatica PowerCenter environment.