Understanding K2 Components
The K2 environment consists of various components, some of which are optional. Which components you install and where you install them depend on your K2 topology and how you use K2. This topic describes where you can install the components, and their purpose and use in a typical K2 installation.
The table below lists the components that are typically installed in a K2 topology.
| K2 Component | Required/ Optional |
Installed on | Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| K2 Server (K2 application server) |
Required | K2 Application Server(s) | The K2 Server Windows service and other components that provide the core functionality of the K2 platform. For example SmartObject service, Workflow services and SmartForms services, as well as supporting services including logging, authentication, scheduling, licensing, and others. |
| K2 database | Required | Microsoft SQL Instance | This is the database K2 uses for its own internal data storage. The database is usually installed along with the first installation of the K2 Server, targeting a specified SQL instance. |
| K2 Core | Required | All machines where K2 components are installed | Provides basic functionality required by the K2 installer, as well as installing assemblies required by K2. |
| K2 Setup Manager | Required | All machines where K2 components are installed | The Setup Manager is used to install, remove, repair, and modify K2 components on the machine. |
| K2 Site | Required |
K2 Application Server(s) Web Server(s) |
The K2 Site contains the K2 Workspace, Management site, Runtime and Designer sites and other web services. |
| K2 Package and Deployment | Optional (but recommended) |
K2 Application Server(s) | Used to package K2 artifacts (such as SmartObjects, Forms, Views and Workflows) in a K2 environment and then deploy the resulting package of artifacts in a different environment. |
| K2 for SharePoint | Optional | App deployed to the SharePoint App Catalog | Provider-hosted app for SharePoint Online/2013 or later, allowing for building of applications with SmartObjects, SmartForms and Workflows in Microsoft SharePoint. |
| K2 Language Pack | Optional |
K2 Application Server(s) Server(s) hosting the K2 smartforms Design Time site Server(s) hosting the K2 smartforms Runtime site |
Provides cultural adaptation and translation of non-configurable elements such as standard SmartForms Controls, the K2 View Flow report and elements of the K2 Designer in different languages. See the Compatibility Matrix for a listing of available languages. |
Client Components (Legacy)
The K2 client components refer to the various tools that users can use to design and build K2 applications and, to a lesser extent, interact with applications created with K2 (for example the K2 Mobile Applications).
| K2 product | K2 Component | Required/ Optional |
Installed on | Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K2 blackpearl | K2 for Visual Studio | Optional | Developer Workstations | Includes the K2 for Visual Studio Core components and plug-ins, as well as specific installs for the supported versions of Microsoft Visual Studio installed on the workstation, allowing developers to build SmartObjects and Workflows with Microsoft Visual Studio and also perform additional tasks like debugging and repairing workflows. |
| K2 Studio | Optional |
Developer Workstations Designer workstations |
K2 Studio is a visual design environment which is targeted at more technical roles like SharePoint site owners, administrators and SharePoint developers, as well as Business Analysts and workflow developers. This design tool allows the user to assemble K2 workflows and create K2 SmartObjects. | |
| K2 Package and Deployment | Optional (but recommended) |
Developer Workstations Designer workstations |
Used to package K2 artifacts (such as SmartObjects, Forms, Views and Workflows) in a K2 environment and then deploy the resulting package of artifacts in a different environment. | |
| K2 Core | Required | All machines where K2 components are installed | Provides basic functionality required by the K2 installer, as well as installing assemblies required by K2. | |
| K2 Setup Manager | Required | All machines where K2 components are installed | The Setup Manager is used to install, remove, repair, and modify K2 components on the machine. | |
| K2 smartforms | K2 smartforms Process Wizards | Optional (but recommended) |
Developer Workstations Designer workstations |
Installs the SmartForms workflow wizards for K2 Studio and K2 for Visual Studio. |
| K2 smartforms Setup Manager | Required | All machines where K2 smartforms components are installed | The Setup Manager is used to install, remove, repair, and modify K2 components on the machine. | |
| K2 Mobile Applications | K2 Mobile Applications | Optional | Mobile Devices | In addition to the client tools listed above, you may want to install other client tools to allow users to interact with K2 applications. These are commonly referred to as the K2 Mobile applications and enable users to interact with their K2 tasks and applications built on K2. See the K2 Mobile Application page at http://help.k2.com/mobile for more information on these applications |