# Deployment options

The Derby software distribution provides two basic deployment options (also referred to as frameworks), the simple embedded option and the Derby Network Server option.

Embedded
  Refers to Derby being started by a simple single-user Java application. With this option Derby runs in the same Java virtual machine (JVM) as the application. Derby can be almost invisible to the end user because it is started and stopped by the application and often requires no administration.

  The Derby documentation often refers to this as the embedded configuration or embedded mode.

Server (or Server-based)
  Refers to Derby being started by an application that provides multi-user connectivity to Derby databases across a network. With this option Derby runs in the Java virtual machine (JVM) that hosts the Server. Applications connect to the Server from different JVMs to access the database. The Derby Network Server is part of the Derby software distribution and provides this type of framework for Derby. Derby also works well with other, independently developed Server applications.

  The Derby documentation often refers to this as the Network Server configuration or client/server configuration.

Parent topic: Introduction to Derby