A standalone Essbase Server is one, non-clustered Essbase Server. The Essbase Server may host one or more Essbase databases. The standalone Essbase Server is not part of a clustered environment, which would enable load balancing or failover support.
Provider Services can connect to standalone Essbase Servers or Essbase Server clusters. Java API, XMLA, and Smart View users connect to Essbase Servers through Provider Services. To users, which database is being accessed is transparent; they connect to and retrieve data from one data source.