Most content sources can be crawled using the integrated indexing connectors in SharePoint Server 2010. These indexing connectors are set up by configuring the FAST Search connector Content Search Service Application (Content SSA). In addition to these, FAST Search for SharePoint includes three FAST-specific connectors:

  • FAST Search Web Crawler
  • FAST Search JDBC Connector
  • FAST Search Lotus Notes Connector

These indexing connectors are configured mainly by editing XML files and Windows PowerShell cmdlets and you operate them by using the command line. (Microsoft FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint uses XML configuration files to control operations in several functional areas. Refer to: About configuration files (FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint))

Plan and design for content collection (FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint) article discusses planning for content crawling by helping you understand how Microsoft FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint crawls and indexes content. Identify the sources of content that you want to crawl section summarizes the available indexing connectors and their recommended use cases. Given below is a snapshot of the information:

For Web site Content

Web site indexing connector
  • Use when you have a limited amount of Web sites to crawl, without dynamic content.

FAST Search Web crawler

  • Use when you have many Web sites to crawl.
  • Use when the Web site content contains dynamic data, including JavaScript.
  • Use when the organization needs access to advanced Web crawling, configuration and scheduling options.
  • Use when you want to crawl RSS Web content.
  • Use when the Web site content uses advanced logon options.

 Refer to  Configure the FAST Search Web crawler for information on configuring the connector.

For Database Content

Business Data Catalog-based indexing connectors
  • Use if the preferred configuration method is using the Microsoft SharePoint Designer 2010.
  • Use when you want to use time stamp based change detection for incremental database crawls.
  • Use when the preferred operation method is using the Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Central Administration.
  • Use when you want to enable crawling based on the change log. This can be achieved by directly modifying the connector model file and creating a stored procedure in the database.

FAST Search database connector

  • Use when the preferred configuration method is using SQL queries.
  • Use when you want advanced data joining operation options through SQL queries.
  • Use when you want to use advanced incremental update features.

FAST Search database connector uses checksum based change detection for incremental crawls if there is no update information available. The connector also supports time stamp based change detection and change detection based on update and delete flags.

Refer to Configure the FAST Search database connector for information on configuring the connector.

For Lotus Notes Content

Lotus Notes indexing connector
  • Use when the preferred operation method is using the Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Central Administration.

FAST Search Lotus Notes connector

  • Use when full Lotus Notes security support is required, including support for Lotus Notes roles.
  • Use when you want to crawl Lotus Notes databases as attachments.

The FAST Search Lotus Notes connector consists of two parts: a user directory connector and a content connector. The content connector collects content from a Lotus Notes content source. The user directory connector ensures that the end-users can only search Lotus Notes content that they have access to. The user directory connector maps the Active Directory user directory with the Lotus Notes user accounts and is closely integrated with FAST Search Authorization. The FAST Search Lotus Notes connector supports Lotus Notes version 6.5.6, 7.x and 8.x and Lotus Domino version 6.5, 7.x and 8.x.

Refer to Configure the FAST Search Lotus Notes connector for information on configuring the connector.

 

Plan to deploy FAST Search specific connectors (FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint)  article discusses the considerations to take into account before you start crawling content with these FAST Search specific connectors.