Set up the server

  • Updated on Aug 8, 2025
  • Published on Jul 20, 2023
  • 2 minute(s) reading time
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The following articles explain how to install the IXM Server.

Before you begin the installation, learn more about the structure of the server, the relevant components, and ensure that you meet the system requirements.

Client-server architecture

The following diagram explains the general structure of the client-server architecture.

Client-server architecture diagram

Note

The diagram shows the initial communication paths. Additional communication paths can be created by connecting external interfaces.

IXM One

Grassfish IXM One allows you to control content on a display: 

  • IXM One is an HTML5 website displayed in a browser.

  • The browser initializes communication between IXM One and the server system.

  • Communication with the server is encrypted and generally occurs over port 443 (HTTPS). However, you can also use the server unencrypted. In this case, this is port 80 (HTTP).

Digital Signage Player

The Digital Signage (DS) Player plays the content configured in IXM One:

  • Grassfish offers software players for various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Android, and Tizen.

  • The player initiates communication between the player and the server system.

  • Encrypted communication with the server occurs via port 443 (HTTPS). However, you can also use the server unencrypted. In this case, port 80 (HTTP) is the correct choice.

IXM Server application

The IXM Server application consists of the following components:

Web server

  • The web server is hosted by Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS).

  • It consists of an HTML5 website and .NET Core or C# web services.

  • It communicates with the file server and the database server.

Backend server

  • The backend server processes data in the background and creates functions such as playlists, video previews, and statistics.

  • The services are based on .NET Core and C#.

  • The server communicates with the file server, the database server, and the web server.

File storage

  • The file storage stores customer files such as videos, images, log files, and configuration files.

  • For file storage, you can use the local file system of a Windows server, a network share, a storage area network (SAN), or network-attached storage (NAS).

  • The file storage communicates with the backend server and the web server.

Database server

  • The database server serves as storage for all data that is not stored as files.

  • It’s a Microsoft SQL Server that communicates with the backend server and the web server.

External sources

  • If you supply the Grassfish system with data from external sources, the system automatically integrates the data via an interface.

  • For this interface, we use third-part components such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers or FTPS servers that support Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Shell (SSH) servers, or other systems provided by the customer. 

  • The system stores imported files in the file storage and processes them via a backend process. The backend server can retrieve this data, which may require access to external systems.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

  • The IXM Server system can automatically send notifications about player status and error messages.

  • This requires access to an online SMTP server or a local SMTP server provided by the customer.