Content Management (CM)

Version:

The Content Management (CM) role enables authors to create, manage, and publish content.

Supported infrastructure

You can host the CM role on:

Refer to the Sitecore compatibility table for compatible versions.

Reference structure

The CM role has its place in the Sitecore reference structure. It can be referenced by other roles, and it can also reference other roles.

Diagram showing the structure of the CM role.

Referenced by

The CM role is referenced by the following roles:

References

The CM role references the following roles:

Storage roles

Role nameConnection string namePortTypeNotes
Master databasemaster1433SQL
Core databasecore1433SQL
Security databasesecurity1433SQL
Web databaseweb1433SQL
xDB Reporting databasereporting1433SQL
Message Busmessaging1433SQLIf you install using SIF, SQL is the default provider. Not applicable to Experience Manager.
443Azure Service BusIf you install Sitecore on Azure, Azure Service Bus is the default provider.
Forms databaseexperienceforms1433SQLThe connection strings for the Forms database and for file storage are the same by default. You can create your own file storage provider with a custom connection string. See Manage file storage for forms and The security roles in Sitecore Form for details.
EXM databaseexm.master1433SQLNot applicable to Experience Manager
Private Session State Storesession1433SQLOptional, for SQL session state provider
6379HTTPOptional, for Redis session state provider
Shared Session State Storesharedsession1433SQLOptional, for SQL session state provider
6379HTTPOptional, for Redis session state provider

On-premise application roles

Role nameConnection string namePortType
xConnect Collection servicexconnect.collection443HTTPS
xConnect Collection Search servicexconnect.search443HTTPS

The following client certificates and keys are required in a secure production environment:

RoleConnection string nameType
xConnect Collection servicexconnect.collection.certificateCertificate
xConnect Collection Search servicexconnect.search.certificateCertificate

Azure application roles

On XP1 topologies deployed on Azure, the xConnect Collection Search service has a dedicated connection string. This is to separate the collection requests from the search and indexing requests. The xConnect Collection Search service is hosted under a basic hosting plan which might not have enough resources for collection, search, and indexing requests.

Role nameConnection string namePortTypeNotes
xConnect Collection servicexconnect.collection443HTTPSHosted on a resource intensive plan.
xConnect Collection Search servicexconnect.search443HTTPSHosted on a basic plan.

The following client certificates and keys are required in a secure production environment:

RoleConnection string nameTypeNotes
xConnect Collection servicexconnect.collection.certificateCertificate
xConnect Collection Search servicexconnect.search.certificateCertificate

Application roles for both on-premise and Azure

Role nameConnection string namePortTypeNotes
Reference Data servicexdb.referencedata.client443HTTPS
Marketing Automation Operations servicexdb.marketingautomation.operations.client443HTTPS
Marketing Automation Reporting servicexdb.marketingautomation.reporting.client443HTTPS
xDB ProcessingN/A - see notes443HTTPSThe xDB Processing service URL is configured in

<content management root>\App_Config\Sitecore\Marketing.xDB\Sitecore.Xdb.Remote.Client.config
EXM DispatchN/A - see notes443HTTPS
Content PublishingN/A - see notes80/443HTTP/HTTPSService url is configured in the

<content management root>\App_Config\Modules\PublishingService\Sitecore.Publishing.Service.Config
Sitecore Cortex™ Reporting servicesitecore.reporting.client443HTTPS
Sitecore Cortex Processing Servicecortex.processing.engine443HTTPS

If you have a dedicated xDB Processing role, you must include the following API key in the CM connection strings configuration file:

RoleConnection string nameTypeNotes
xDB Processingreporting.apikeyUnique stringRequired if you use a dedicated xDB Processing role.

The following client certificates and keys are required in a secure production environment:

RoleConnection string nameTypeNotes
Reference Data servicexdb.referencedata.client.certificateCertificate
Marketing Automation Operations servicexdb.marketingautomation.operations.client.certificateCertificate
Marketing Automation Reporting servicexdb.marketingautomation.reporting.client.certificateCertificate
Sitecore Cortex™ Reporting servicesitecore.reporting.client.certificateCertificate
EXM DispatchEXM.CryptographicKeyKey
EXM DispatchEXM.AuthenticationKeyKey
Sitecore Identitysitecoreidentity.secretKey
Sitecore Cortex Processing servicecortex.processing.engine.client.certificateCertificate

Search indexes

Note

The Content Search provider determines how the CD role connects to the indexes. Sitecore supports Solr.

IndexPort, SolrTypeNotes
Master index8983HTTPS
Core index8983HTTPS
Web index8983HTTPS
FXM Web index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
Web Marketing Definitions index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
Web Marketing Assets index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
FXM Master index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
Master Marketing Definitions index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
Master Marketing Assets index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
Testing index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
Suggested Test index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations
Personalization index8983HTTPSOnly for XP installations

For more information, see Configure Solr provider.

Cloud Services

Role NamePortTypeEndpoint URL
IP Geolocation443HTTPSgeoip-ces.cloud.sitecore.net
Device Detection443HTTPSdevicedetection-ces.cloud.sitecore.net
E-mail Cloud443HTTPSMultiple endpoints

For more information, see:

Other

The CM role includes a reference to the Package Management Service via the PackageManagementServiceUrl connection string.

Privacy and security

The CM role handles personal data in the following ways:

  • Handles authentication and authorization of content editors and other business users.
  • Allows the management of website user accounts and authorization.
  • Hosts the business tools for accessing and managing Experience Database contacts and interactions.
  • Hosts the Experience Profile which shows Commerce customer and order information.

Refer to the Security Guide for steps to secure the CM role.

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