AOS Overview

Dynamics AX 2009

In Microsoft Dynamics AX, there is a 3-tier infrastructure with a database server, an application object server (AOS), and a client. The database server contains the table data. The AOS is used to execute application objects, such as queries and classes. Application objects in the user interface, such as forms and reports, run on the client computer. This topic describes how to develop an application using the different tiers and how record buffers are related to the tiers.

The following illustration shows the three-tier architecture.

Three Tier Architecture Diagram

When you separate the application data from the application objects, it is easier to distribute upgrade versions of your application. This is because you can distribute forms, queries, classes, and reports that are based on the same set of underlying tables without affecting application data. In addition, separating data from other application objects can reduce network load.

You can use the AOS for sharing objects and information as an effective tool to increase performance. Microsoft Dynamics AX and SQL server databases can be used together to provide powerful programming languages to validate data and enforce business rules. For more information, see Best Practices: Application Object Server and How to: Optimize an Application for the AOS.

Record buffers are automatically replicated between the application object server and the client as needed. As buffers are replicated, calls between the application object server and the client increase. For example, consider the following scenario.

  1. A record is selected on the AOS.

  2. A table instance method that has been set to Client is called.

  3. The buffer is replicated and sent to the client.

  4. The client reads and then modifies the buffer.

  5. The buffer is replicated and sent to the server.

The buffer is replicated only if needed, as in the preceding example. If the value of the buffer was unchanged, the buffer would not be replicated on the AOS.

Avoid calling client based objects from the server as this will decrease application performance. This is because when a <record>.datasource method on a client object is called from the server, the method returns an object and must access the client even if the FormDataSource Class object does not exist on the client. For more information, see Best Practices: Application Object Server.

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