[id='installation-options-ref_{context}']
= Installation environment options for {PRODUCT}

With {PRODUCT}, you can set up a development environment to develop business applications, a runtime environment to run those applications to support decisions, or both.

* *Development environment*: Typically consists of one {CENTRAL} installation and at least one {KIE_SERVER} installation. You can use {CENTRAL} to design decisions and other artifacts, and you can use {KIE_SERVER} to execute and test the artifacts that you created.

* *Runtime environment*: Consists of one or more {KIE_SERVER} instances with or without {CENTRAL}. {CENTRAL} has an embedded {CONTROLLER}. If you install {CENTRAL}, use the *Menu* -> *Deploy* -> *Execution servers* page to create and maintain containers. If you want to automate {KIE_SERVER} management without {CENTRAL}, you can use the {HEADLESS_CONTROLLER}.

You can also cluster both development and runtime environments. A clustered development or runtime environment consists of a unified group or cluster of two or more servers. The primary benefit of clustering {PRODUCT} development environments is high availability and enhanced collaboration, while the primary benefit of clustering {PRODUCT} runtime environments is high availability and load balancing. High availability decreases the chance of data loss when a single server fails. When a server fails, another server fills the gap by providing a copy of the data that was on the failed server. When the failed server comes online again, it resumes its place in the cluster.

NOTE: Clustering of the runtime environment is currently supported on {EAP} {EAP_VERSION}
ifdef::DM,PAM[]
and {OPENSHIFT}
endif::[]
only.

ifeval::["{context}" != "planning"]
.Additional resources
ifdef::DM,PAM[]
* {URL_INSTALLING_AND_CONFIGURING}#assembly-planning[_{PLANNING_INSTALL}_]
ifdef::PAM[]
* https://access.redhat.com/articles/3405381[{PRODUCT} 7 Supported Configurations]
* https://access.redhat.com/articles/3463751[{PRODUCT} 7 Component Details]
endif::[]
ifdef::DM[]
* https://access.redhat.com/articles/3354301[{PRODUCT} 7 Supported Configurations]
* https://access.redhat.com/articles/3355791[{PRODUCT} 7 Component Details]
endif::[]
endif::[]
ifdef::DROOLS,JBPM,OP[]
* xref:#_installationandsetup[]
* xref:#_wb.advancedsettings[]
endif::[]
endif::[]
