Example scenario

This is a typical example of what happens in the Spotfire environment when a user opens an analysis in a web client.

The user receives an email with a link to an analysis that contains interesting information.
When the link is opened, an ordinary http (or https) connection is set up from the browser to Spotfire Server. If the environment is configured for username and password authentication, a login dialog is shown, for the user to fill in.
If the username and password are correct, the user must also be listed in the user directory. Spotfire Server compares the credentials towards the Spotfire database for verification.
The Spotfire Server checks whether the user has the license privileges to see the analysis, which is stored in the library.
If the analysis is not already loaded on any Web Player service instance, the routing mechanism of the Spotfire Server selects the instance with the best health status and the fewest number of user sessions to load the analysis. The request is forwarded to this instance.
The Web Player service instance loads the analysis from the library.
Data in an analysis can be linked or embedded. This analysis contains linked data, loaded through Information Services. A request for the data goes back from the Web Player service instance to a Spotfire Server.
After the analysis and its data are loaded, Spotfire Server acts as a proxy between the web browser and the Web Player service instance.
The user finds the analysis interesting and wants to add an extra visualization. Because the user has the Business Author license, the menu options to do so are visible.
After the user has updated and saved the analysis, the user can send a link to interested parties.