Search Server in Elastic Path Commerce

The Search server is responsible for:

• Handling search requests from Commerce Manager and Cortex
• Indexing searchable entities:
  • Categories
  • Customers
  • Products
  • Promotions
  • CM Users and SKUs used by Commerce Manager and Cortex

Search Server Technologies

The Elastic Path Search server is comprised of three technologies: Solr, Lucene, and Quartz.

Solr - Is an HTTP server that handles search requests from Cortex and the Commerce Manager. Solr’s Major Features:

• Caching queries for faster responses
• Web-based administrator interface
• XML configuration files
• Spell checking for alternative query suggestions
• Follows distributed server model, so Solr can support large scale deployments

Lucene - Is the Search server’s core technology. Lucene is an open source, high-performance text search engine library. Lucene’s Major Features:

• Text-based inverted indexing
• Text analyzers that transform text strings into searchable terms
• Syntax parsers for breaking up queries and matching them to documents
• Query spellchecking based on indexed content
• Supports Luke to graphically analyze Lucene indexes

Quartz - Is an open source job scheduling service. Quartz schedules index building. Quartz’s Major Features:

• Light-weight and configured with XML files
• Fault-tolerant so scheduled jobs still run after a system restart

Why does Elastic Path uses Solr and Lucene?

• Solr and Lucene are open source
• Solr and Lucene are written in Java
• Solr is highly scalable
• Solr is easily configured through XML files
• Solr and Lucene are proven technologies used successfully in large implementations