> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.deployerp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Core Concepts

> Understand the key components of deployERP

## Overview

deployERP simplifies Odoo deployment and management by abstracting complex infrastructure operations into intuitive concepts. Understanding these core components will help you make the most of the platform.

## Key Components

### Servers

A **Server** is a virtual machine provisioned on your chosen cloud provider that hosts your Odoo instances.

<Info>
  Think of a server as your dedicated hosting environment where one or more Odoo instances can run.
</Info>

**Key characteristics:**

* Dedicated resources (CPU, RAM, Storage)
* Runs on your cloud provider account
* Can host multiple Odoo instances
* Pre-configured with optimized settings
* Includes PostgreSQL database server

### Instances

An **Instance** is an individual Odoo installation running on a server.

**Instance features:**

* Separate database and filestore
* Independent Odoo configuration
* Custom domain support
* Version-specific (Odoo 14, 15, 16, 17, etc.)
* Community or Enterprise edition

<Tip>
  You can run multiple instances on a single server for cost efficiency, or dedicate servers to critical instances for maximum performance.
</Tip>

### Provider Connections

**Provider Connections** link your cloud provider accounts to deployERP, enabling automated server provisioning.

Supported providers include:

* Amazon Web Services (AWS)
* DigitalOcean
* Microsoft Azure
* Vultr
* Hetzner Cloud
* Google Cloud Platform
* Linode
* Custom servers (via agent)

### Backups

**Backups** are automated snapshots of your Odoo instances, including:

* Database dumps
* Filestore data
* Configuration files
* Custom modules

<Warning>
  Always configure automated backups for production instances. deployERP supports multiple backup providers including AWS S3, DigitalOcean Spaces, and custom S3-compatible storage.
</Warning>

### Teams

**Teams** enable collaborative management of your deployERP resources.

Team features:

* Role-based access control
* Multiple permission levels
* Audit logging
* Resource isolation

## Architecture Overview

```mermaid theme={null}
graph TB
    A[deployERP Dashboard] --> B[API Layer]
    B --> C[Provider Connection]
    C --> D[Cloud Provider]
    D --> E[Server]
    E --> F[Odoo Instance 1]
    E --> G[Odoo Instance 2]
    E --> H[PostgreSQL]
    F --> I[Database 1]
    G --> J[Database 2]
    H --> I
    H --> J
    B --> K[Backup Provider]
    K --> L[S3/Spaces]
```

## Deployment Flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Provider">
    Link your cloud provider account to deployERP
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provision Server">
    deployERP creates a optimized server on your infrastructure
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Dependencies">
    Python, PostgreSQL, and Odoo requirements are automatically configured
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Instance">
    Odoo is installed with your chosen version and edition
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Access">
    SSL certificates, domains, and security settings are applied
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Monitoring">
    Real-time monitoring and auto-healing are activated
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Resource Management

### Server Sizing

Choose server resources based on your needs:

| Size   | vCPU     | RAM      | Storage  | Use Case              |
| ------ | -------- | -------- | -------- | --------------------- |
| Small  | 2        | 4GB      | 80GB     | Development, Testing  |
| Medium | 4        | 8GB      | 160GB    | Small Production      |
| Large  | 8        | 16GB     | 320GB    | Standard Production   |
| XLarge | 16       | 32GB     | 640GB    | Enterprise Production |
| Custom | Variable | Variable | Variable | Specific Requirements |

### Instance Limits

Recommended instances per server:

* **Small Server**: 1-2 instances
* **Medium Server**: 2-4 instances
* **Large Server**: 4-8 instances
* **XLarge Server**: 8-16 instances

<Note>
  Actual capacity depends on instance usage patterns, user load, and module complexity.
</Note>

## Security Model

deployERP implements multiple security layers:

1. **Infrastructure Security**
   * Encrypted API credentials
   * Isolated cloud resources
   * Network firewalls

2. **Application Security**
   * SSL/TLS encryption
   * Secure password generation
   * Session management

3. **Data Security**
   * Encrypted backups
   * Database isolation
   * Audit logging

## Monitoring & Auto-Healing

deployERP continuously monitors your infrastructure:

### Monitored Metrics

* CPU utilization
* Memory usage
* Disk space
* Database connections
* Response times
* Error rates

### Auto-Healing Actions

* Service restart on failure
* Database connection recovery
* Disk space cleanup
* Memory optimization
* Process management

## Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use Staging Instances" icon="flask">
    Test changes in staging before deploying to production
  </Card>

  <Card title="Regular Backups" icon="shield">
    Configure automated daily backups with appropriate retention
  </Card>

  <Card title="Monitor Resources" icon="chart-line">
    Track usage patterns and scale proactively
  </Card>

  <Card title="Team Permissions" icon="lock">
    Apply least-privilege access control for team members
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next Steps

Now that you understand the core concepts:

* [Create your first server](/servers/provisioning)
* [Deploy an Odoo instance](/instances/creating)
* [Configure automated backups](/backups/overview)
* [Set up team access](/teams/overview)