Platform layers The Platform is separated into one generic layer and one physical layer per target environment. For example, you may have the following target environments: • Development • Test • QA • Production In this case the Platform must have four physical layers – one for the Development environment, one for the Test environment, etc. Runtime configuration layers A Runtime configuration is based on the Platform, and inherits the generic and physical layers from the Platform. For example, if the Platform is separated into a Development, Test, QA, and Production layer, the Runtime configuration will also be separated into the same layers. Generic layer settings The generic layer includes settings that must be the same in all target environments. These settings must be tested in all development and test environments before the production layer is deployed. For example, you cannot develop and test output using a PDF driver, and then use an AFP driver in the production environment. In this case you must use an AFP reader in the environments that have no access to the actual printer. Physical layer settings The physical layers include environment specific settings. For example, the paths for input and output jobs will probably not be the same in the development and production environment. The same Design Center Project in all target environments The separation of the Platform into layers enables you to use the same Design Center Project in all target environments. When you export the Project, all physical layers are included in the same export file. When you deploy the Project to a StreamServer application, you specify which physical layer to deploy and run. Reuse of Platform settings The generic Platform layer contains settings that apply to all target environments. This means you only have to configure these settings once, no matter how many physical layers you must create. When you create a new physical layer, you create a copy of an existing physical layer. Then you only have to edit the environment specific settings in the new physical layer.