Understanding the IMPAX Server components

IMPAX Server controls the communication and storage of images. When installed, the following components work together to form the Server:

Network Gateway
Archive
Database—Oracle or SQL
Administration Tools
Curator

IMPAX Server is different from a cluster. A cluster consists of IMPAX Server and Application Server components and one or more Clients.

Network Gateway

Network Gateways manage the workflow of the IMPAX system. They control the studies coming into the cluster from an acquisition station, validate incoming studies against information in the HIS/RIS, and route validated studies to cached display stations, to the archive, and so on.

More information is available in What is the Network Gateway?

Archive Server

An Archive Server consists of a computer with an HSM file system. PACS Store and Remember archiving is also supported. Studies are archived by transmitting them to the Archive Server. The exams are temporarily stored on hard disk (cache) and are eventually stored on long-term storage media in the archive.

More information is available in Archive Server: Key concepts

Database Server

The Database Server running Oracle or SQL Server stores the central database, maintains a record of all database transactions in transaction log files, and monitors system activity levels.

More information is available in What is the IMPAX Database Server?

Administration Tools

The Administration Tools consist of many managers to accomplish IMPAX system configuration and maintenance.

More information is available in What are the Administration Tools?

Curator

Curator processes images in the image cache, creates wavelet images (lossless compressed, by default), and stores the wavelet images in the web cache. In many cases, these images can be displayed more quickly, particularly for remote Clients.

More information is available in What is Curator?