Implementing search using third-party search software

To integrate SDL Tridion Sites with your third-party search software, create a custom Module that updates your search index, and add it to your Content Deployer. Although this involves some development effort, it eliminates the need for your search software to crawl your Web site.

Procedure

  1. Select and purchase third-party search software.
  2. Create a custom Module (Java class) that adds items to the search index based on the content and/or metadata of Pages and/or Components.

    Most search software includes a Java interface; if yours does not, you can use the Java Native Interface (JNI) to communicate with your search software.

  3. Add this Module to the Processor of your Content Deployer that actually deploys the content.
  4. Build up a search index by adding content to your Web site’s data store.
  5. Add a search interface to your Page Template(s) that uses the search software to perform the filtering for you.
  6. Test to see if search works to your satisfaction.