IBM BPM, V8.0.1, All platforms > Install IBM BPM > Plan for IBM BPM > Plan the ND environment > Topologies of an ND environment
Customized topology
A customized topology addresses the processing and business requirements unique to your situation. It is not an IBM-supplied topology pattern, but rather a topology created and then tailor to your specific needs.
If you need to define your own deployment environment topology, a customized topology is by far the most flexible. The IBM-supplied topologies (Single Cluster, Remote Messaging, Remote Messaging and Remote Support, and Remote Messaging, Remote Support, and Web), deploy all IBM BPM components to their default locations. You might not need the additional maintenance associated with these components.
For example, if your organization does not need Common Event Interface (CEI), you could create a custom topology that removes CEI support from your environment. Similarly, if your organization has governance rules that prevent you from taking advantage of the Business Rules Manager, you could remove it from your deployment environment.
Except for the ability to control the components deployed in your environment, the advantages of custom topologies are similar to the advantages of the Remote Messaging and Remote Support topology. The disadvantages are also similar.
Important: Creating a customized ND environment is more labor-intensive than using an IBM-supplied topology pattern, which can be created from the Deployment Environment configuration wizard. Before you attempt to create a customized ND environment, make sure that none of the IBM-supplied topologies address your needs. You should attempt to create a customized ND environment only if you have a solid understanding of the features and functions of the administrative console.