---
title: "Architecture of DWS Viewer API integration"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/architecture/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/architecture.md"
last_updated: "2026-05-27T13:10:05.652Z"
description: "Learn about the architecture of DWS Viewer API integration and its components."
---

# Architecture of DWS Viewer API integration

DWS Viewer API integration consists of three separate components that interact with each other.![DWS Viewer API Architecture](@/assets/guides/dws-viewer/dws-viewer-architecture.png)

1. DWS Viewer API is provided as a fully managed service. You can use it without requiring any changes to your infrastructure. It’s responsible for document streaming, editing, and collaboration.

2. An optional backend for your web app. This could be a regular server-side application or a serverless function. It interacts with DWS Viewer API via its [API](https://www.nutrient.io/api/reference/viewer/public/). Alternatively, you can interact with DWS Viewer API via the [dashboard](https://dashboard.nutrient.io/) user interface (UI) and skip the backend requirement entirely.

3. A frontend web app running in a browser on a user’s device. This uses Nutrient Web SDK for displaying documents managed by DWS Viewer API.
---

## Related pages

- [DWS Viewer API backend authentication](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/backend-authentication.md)
- [Generate a session token](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/generate-a-session-token.md)
- [DWS Viewer API client authentication flow](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/client-authentication-flow.md)
- [DWS Viewer API developer guides](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides.md)
- [Upload documents](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/upload-documents.md)
- [Dashboard](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/dashboard.md)
- [Open a document in Web SDK](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/open-a-document-in-web.md)
- [Integrate DWS Viewer API with your own backend](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/use-with-your-backend.md)
- [Deployment options](/guides/dws-viewer/developer-guides/deployment-options.md)