Node Types
The node type determines whether the node can serve as a gateway or worker node and determines the domain functions that the node performs.
You define the node type when you install Informatica services and join the node to the domain. You can use the Administrator tool to change the node type after installation. You change the node type in the gateway configuration properties for the domain.
Gateway Nodes
A gateway node is any node that you configure to serve as a gateway for the domain. A gateway node can run application services and perform computations, and it can serve as a master gateway node. One gateway node acts as the master gateway at any given time. The master gateway node is the entry point to the domain.
The Service Manager on the master gateway node performs all domain functions on the master gateway node. The Service Managers running on other gateway nodes perform limited domain functions on those nodes.
You can configure more than one node to serve as a gateway. If the master gateway node becomes unavailable, the Service Managers on other gateway nodes elect another master gateway node. If you configure only one node to serve as the gateway and the node becomes unavailable, the domain cannot accept service requests.
Worker Nodes
A worker node is any node that you do not configure to serve as a gateway for the domain. A worker node can run application services and perform computations, but it cannot serve as a gateway. The Service Manager performs limited domain functions on a worker node.
Example Domain with Multiple Nodes
This example domain contains three nodes. Each node has both the service and compute roles enabled.
All nodes run the Service Manager. Node 1 is the master gateway node and runs two application services. Node 2 is a back-up gateway node and runs one application service. Node 3 is a worker node and runs one application service. If Node 1 becomes unavailable, Node 2 is elected as the new master gateway node. The Service Manager on Node 2 then performs all domain functions. When Node 1 restarts, it becomes a back-up gateway node and the Service Manager performs limited domain functions.
The following image shows a domain with two gateway nodes and one worker node:
