Overview
A Snaplex is the data processing engine of the SnapLogic Intelligent Integration Platform (IIP) and is used as a runtime environment to run Pipelines.
One or more nodes can belong to a Snaplex, with Pipeline execution requests automatically load balanced across the nodes. Based on active threads, the algorithm is randomized, checking nodes with the least load to send execution requests. If there are equivalent loaded nodes, the algorithm randomizes the execution across them.
Where are Snaplexes Used in the SnapLogic Platform
Snaplexes are used in nearly every area of the SnapLogic platform, performing the following functions:
Standard, Resumable, and Ultra Pipelines
Triggered Task and Scheduled Tasks
SnapLogic APIs and Proxies
API Policies in APIM and Tasks in Manager
AutoSync integrations
Types of Snaplexes
The Snaplex can be SnapLogic Managed (Cloudplex) or Self-managed (Groundplex). Snaplexes are configured by SnapLogic when the customer is provisioned, and Self-managed Snaplexes can be added anytime. For Cloudplexes, SnapLogic will install and maintain the Snaplex nodes. For Groundplexes, the customer has to install the Snaplex software on nodes in the customer data center.
You can deploy one or many Snaplex instances as required to run Pipelines and process data. A Snaplex consists of one or more nodes and can be one of the following types:
Cloudplex: All Cloudplex instances run inside the SnapLogic IIP. A Cloudplex is ideal if you require integrations that orchestrate across cloud applications (such as Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Workday) with no on-premises connections that do not require any software to run behind a firewall. Use SnapLogic Manager and Dashboard to administer and monitor your Cloudplex.
Groundplex: If you need on-premises connectivity (such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics AX) then you require a Groundplex that runs behind the firewall. Although Groundplex nodes run on private or virtual private data centers, Groundplex instances are managed remotely by the SnapLogic Platform's control plane.
Comparison of Snaplex Types
Type of Snaplex | Advantages | Disadvantages |
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SnapLogic Managed Snaplex (Cloudplex) |
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Self-managed (Groundplex) |
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Snaplex Architecture
The Snaplex represents the Data Plane in the SnapLogic ecosystem. Users who access the SnapLogic application through the UI and most of the Public APIs communicate are communicating with the Control Plane.
The following diagram illustrates the data flow in the SnapLogic architecture for both types of Snaplexes and the relationship between the Control Plane and Data Plane.
Managing a Snaplex
Who Can Create or Update a Snaplex
You must be an Org admin to view and change the values of a Snaplex. The one exception is if you created the Snaplex. If your SnapLogic user account was created with Provision this user as a developer option selected, then you are the owner of that Snaplex, and you can make changes to the Snaplex settings.
Monitoring your Snaplex
You can monitor Snaplexes of the SnapLogic Dashboard. The Health tab, which is the default tab, shows Snaplexes on the left side in a scrolling menu. The Infrastructure Overview provides metrics across all Snaplexes in an Org for target time spans, as deep-dive capabilities; and among the subtabs of the Dashboard tab, the Snaplex tab displays similar metrics.
For example, you can see the number of active threads from within the Additional information option on the Snaplex node drop-down in the Snaplex Health Wall of the Dashboard.
Green are running Snaplexes
Yellow are instances that were shut down gracefully
Red indicates a system crash