UiPath Orchestrator — Single Node Architecture
Introduction to UiPath Orchestrator:
UiPath Orchestrator is a web application developed by UiPath to streamline the orchestration of robots in the execution of repetitive or rule based business processes. This powerful application plays a vital role in managing resources for automation projects and their utilization by robots. It provides hierarchical structuring and fine-grained role assignments for efficient access control and making it an essential integration point for third party solutions and applications.
“One of Orchestrator’s primary strengths lies in it’s ability to effectively oversee your entire fleet of robots”
For attended automation, Orchestrator ensures centralized management and the accurate delivery of package versions to robots for execution. In unattended automation scenarios, orchestrator allows for immediate or pre-planned execution, thanks to its support for triggers. Orchestrator efficiently allocates work to unattended robots and, when given flexibility in workload distribution, maximizes efficiency and optimizes robot usge to its fullest potential.
Orchestrator Architecture:
UiPath Orchestrator’s architecture includes three essential layers, each serving a specific purpose in managing and orchestrating robotic process automation (RPA) workflows. These layers are:
1.Presentation Layer:
The Presentation Layer is the user interface (UI) component of UiPath Orchestrator. It provides a web-based interface accessible via web browsers, enabling administrators, operators, and users to interact with the Orchestrator. Users can configure robots, create and manage automation processes, schedule tasks, monitor job statuses, and perform various administrative functions through the user-friendly UI. This layer focuses on delivering a visually intuitive and user-friendly experience for interacting with Orchestrator.
2.Service Layer:
The Service Layer, also known as the Application Layer, is where the core functionalities and business logic of UiPath Orchestrator are located. It hosts the Orchestrator web application server, which is responsible for handling user requests, executing business logic, and coordinating communication between different Orchestrator components. This layer is pivotal in managing robot schedules, orchestrating automation task execution, and controlling user access to the Orchestrator system. The Service Layer acts as the intermediary between the user interface and the underlying components, ensuring the proper execution of automation workflows.
3. Persistence Layer:
The Persistence Layer is responsible for storing and managing data related to the UiPath Orchestrator. It typically uses a relational database SQL Server to store configuration data, settings, and critical information. Key data stored in this layer includes robot configurations, process definitions, job schedules, user access controls, and more. The Persistence Layer is crucial for data storage, retrieval, and management, ensuring that the Orchestrator has access to the information it needs to function effectively.
These three layers work in harmony to provide a comprehensive and efficient RPA orchestration platform. The Presentation Layer focuses on user interaction and accessibility, the Service Layer handles core functionality and business logic, and the Persistence Layer manages data storage and retrieval. Together, they enable the management, scheduling, execution, monitoring, and reporting of automation processes in UiPath Orchestrator.
Single Node Architecture:
The UiPath Orchestrator Single Node Architecture is a configuration where all the components of UiPath Orchestrator are installed and run on a single server or node. This setup is suitable for small-scale or testing environments. Here’s an overview of the architecture and components in a single-node deployment:
Components:
UiPath Orchestrator Application: This is the core web application that provides the user interface for managing robots, automation processes, schedules, and other Orchestrator-related tasks.
Database: UiPath Orchestrator relies on a database to store configuration data, settings, and information. Commonly, SQL Server is used as the database system.
Internet Information Services (IIS): IIS is responsible for hosting the Orchestrator web application and providing the web server capabilities required for user access.
Robot Machines: These are the machines where UiPath robots are installed. Robots execute automation tasks and report results back to the Orchestrator.
Architecture Overview for Single Node Orchestrator:
In a single-node architecture, the Orchestrator Application, Database and IIS are installed on a single server or node. The UiPath Orchestrator web application runs in IIS, allowing administrators and users to interact with Orchestrator through a web browser. The database stores crucial data such as robot configurations, process definitions, schedules, job information, and user access controls. Robot machines execute automation tasks as directed by Orchestrator and report back with execution results.
A single-node architecture is suitable for small-scale implementations, proof-of-concept setups, or testing environments. It may lack the scalability and redundancy features of a multi-node or high-availability setup, making it less suitable for production environments with high automation demands. Security considerations, including firewall rules and access control, are essential to protect the single-node deployment. This architecture simplifies setup and maintenance but may not be sufficient for large-scale enterprise RPA deployments. For production environments and larger deployments, UiPath provides guidance on multi-node and high-availability configurations to ensure robustness, scalability, and fault tolerance. It’s essential to assess your specific requirements and consult UiPath’s documentation and best practices to choose the most appropriate architecture for your needs.
Hardware Requirement for Single Node Installation:
To set up a Single Node Orchestrator, you’ll need to ensure that your hardware meets certain requirements. Please note that these requirements might change over time, so it’s essential to refer to the most current documentation or contact UiPath directly for the latest information.
Here are the general hardware requirements for UiPath Single Node Orchestrator:
Server Hardware:
- CPU: Multi-core processor with at least 4 cores (recommended 8 cores or more).
- RAM: A minimum of 16 GB RAM (recommended 32 GB or more).
- Storage: A minimum of 50 GB of free disk space (more space for logs and backups).
- Solid-State Drive (SSD): Using an SSD for storage is recommended for better performance.
In a production environment, it is strongly advised to allocate separate, dedicated servers for each of the following roles:
- Orchestrator Web Application: Assign a dedicated server exclusively for hosting the Orchestrator web application.
- SQL Server Database Engine: Set up a dedicated server solely for running the SQL Server Database Engine, which stores Orchestrator’s configuration and runtime data.
- Elasticsearch and Kibana: Allocate a separate server for Elasticsearch and Kibana, which are used for advanced search and visualization capabilities
Please note that the above requirements are general guidelines and can vary depending on the specific version of UiPath Orchestrator and any additional features or modules you plan to use. It’s important to consult the official UiPath documentation or contact UiPath support for the most up-to-date and version-specific requirements. Additionally, consider the scalability and performance requirements of your automation projects when planning your hardware setup.
For more hardware requirement information. refer the below product documentation for version 2023.10
Software Requirement for Single Node Installation:
UiPath Single Node Orchestrator also requires specific software and software configurations. Please keep in mind that software requirements may change over time, so it’s essential to refer to the most current documentation or contact UiPath directly for the latest information.
Here are the general software requirements for UiPath Single Node Orchestrator:
Server Operating System:
- Windows server 2012 R2 or higher version
- Compatible Versions: 2012 R2,2016,2019 and 2022
Database:
- Microsoft SQL Server Standard or Enterprise Edition
- Compatible Versions: 2014,2016,2017, 2019, 2022 Azure SQL Database, Amazon RDs for SQL Server and Google Cloud SQL for SQL Server
Logging and Visualization:
- ElasticSearch — versions 7.0 to 8.x
- Kibana — versions 7.0 to 8.x
Browsers:
- UiPath Orchestrator only support evergreen browsers such as Chrome,Edge, Firefox, Chrome etc
Software Frameworks:
- .Net Framework - version 4.7.2 or higher
- ASP.Net Core Module — version 6.0.x
Web Servers:
- IIS (Internet Information Services) — version 10 or higher
- IIS Modules — URL Rewrite — version 2.1 or higher
Virtualization Platforms:
Any platform capable of creating a Windows Virtual Machine is also suitable. Below are the software and compatible versions:
- Citrix XenDesktop: Version 7.6 or later.
- Microsoft Hyper-V: Version 2016 or newer.
- VMWare vSphere: Version 6 or higher.
Credentials Stores:
The following components are not mandatory for Orchestrator usage but rather optional integrations.
- CyberArk — Central Provider 12.6
- Azure Key Vault
- HashiCorp Vault
- Beyond Trust
For more software requirement information. refer the below product documentations for version 2023.10
Conclusion:
In conclusion, UiPath Orchestrator Single Node instance serves as a powerful and centralized hub for orchestrating, monitoring, and managing your robotic workforce. This solution streamlines automation operations, offering the flexibility of a single server deployment, making it an attractive choice for organizations of varying sizes. With the right hardware and software configurations, UiPath Orchestrator Single Node provides a stable and scalable platform to optimize and control your automation initiatives. This centralization of RPA processes and robots enhances efficiency, visibility, and compliance, ultimately contributing to the successful execution of automation projects and digital transformation efforts within your organization.
