Tableau Server Processes Flashcards
Application Server
Tableau Server Process
vizportal.exe
Licensed
The Application Server (VizPortal) handles the web application, REST API calls, and supports browsing and searching. The Application Server (VizPortal) handles the web application, REST API calls, and supports browsing and searching.
Backgrounder
Tableau Server Process
backgrounder.exe
Licensed
The Backgrounder runs server tasks, including extract refreshes, subscriptions, ‘Run Now’ tasks, and tasks initiated from tabcmd. When Backgounder is installed, Data Engine is also installed, unless the node already has an instance of Data Engine.
In most situations you can change the number of backgrounder instances on an existing node of a running server without causing a stop and restart the server. An exception is if you are adding backgrounder to an existing node that did not previously have backgrounder or any other process that also installs data engine.
Cache Server
Tableau Server Process
redis-server.exe
Not Licensed
The Cache Server is a query cache distributed and shared across the server cluster. This in-memory cache speeds user experience across many scenarios. VizQL server, backgrounder, and data server (and application server to a lesser extent) make cache requests to the cache server on behalf of users or jobs. The cache is single-threaded, so if you need better performance you should run additional instances of cache server.
Cluster Controller
Tableau Server Process
clustercontroller
Not Licensed
The Cluster Controller is responsible for monitoring various components, detecting failures, and running failover when needed.
Required on each node. Not automatically installed.
Data Engine
Tableau Server Process
Cannot be configured manually.
Licensed
The Data Engine creates data extracts and processes queries.
Automatically installed when you install File Store, VizQL Server, Application Server (VizPortal), Data Server, or Backgrounder.
Data Server
Tableau Server Process
dataserver
Licensed
The Data Server manages connections to Tableau Server data sources.
When Data Server is installed, Data Engine is also installed, unless the node already has an instance of Data Engine.
File Store
Tableau Server Process
filestore
Not Licensed
The File Store automatically replicates extracts across Data Engine nodes.
When File Store is installed, Data Engine is also installed, unless the node already has an instance of Data Engine.
Gateway
Tableau Server Process
httpd.exe
Not Licensed
The Gateway is a web server that handles all requests to Tableau Server from browsers, Tableau Desktop, and other clients.
Required on any node with an instance of VizQL Server or Vizportal.
Repository
Tableau Server Process
pgsql
Not Licensed
The PostgreSQL repository is the main database for Tableau Server. It stores workbook and user metadata.
You are limited to a maximum of two instances of the repository in a cluster, and must have at least three nodes in the cluster to add a second repository instance.
SAML Service
Tableau Server Process
Cannot be configured manually.
Not Licensed
The SAML Service acts as a proxy between Tableau Server and SAML Identity Providers (IdPs).
Automatically installed on each node where you install Tableau Server.
Shows a status of stopped in output of tsm status -vunless site SAML is enabled.
You cannot configure the SAML Service manually.
Search and Browse
Tableau Server Process
searchserver
Not Licensed
The Search Service handles fast search, filter, retrieval, and display of content metadata on the server.
VizQL Server
Tableau Server Process
vizqlserver
Licensed
The VizQL Server loads and renders views, computes and executes queries.
When VizQL Server is installed, Data Engine is also installed, unless the node already has an instance of Data Engine.
In most situations you can change the number of VizQL instances on an existing node of a running server without causing a stop and restart the server. An exception is if you are adding VizQL to an existing node that did not previously have VizQL or any other process that also installs data engine.
Administration Agent
Tableau Services Manager (TSM) Processes
-
Not Licensed
The TSM Agent monitors the Coordination Service for changes to configuration or topology and delivers new configurations to each service (configuration) or deploys new services and removes old ones (topology)
Automatically installed on each node where you install Tableau Server.
You cannot configure the Administration Agent manually.
Administration Controller
Tableau Services Manager (TSM) Processes
-
Not Licensed
The TSM Controller handles requests to TSM and orchestrates configuration and topology changes and workflow across service processes. The Controller also serves as the REST API endpoint (HTTPS).
Automatically installed when you install TSM on the initial node.
You cannot configure the Administration Controller manually except to move it to another node.
Client File Service
Tableau Services Manager (TSM) Processes
-
Not Licensed
The Client File Service (CFS) manages most shared files in a multinode cluster. For example, authentication related certificates, keys, and files (OpenID, mutual SSL, SAML, and Kerberos), and customization files are managed by CFS.
Automatically installed on the initial node. No other instances are installed unless you explicitly configure them. See Configure Client File Service .
In multi-node deployments, we recommend you configure an instance of CFS on each of the nodes where you deploy the Coordination Service. Redeploying the Coordination Service does not have any impact on CFS.
CFS does not display in the Status page or the Configuration page but is visible in the output of the tsm status -v command.
