Architecture for Open Distributed Software Systems

by
Kazi Farooqui and Luigi Logrippo

Department of Computer Science
University of Ottawa

Abstract

Distributed applications consist of discrete software components which are
spread across multiple systems. The interaction between these components
constitutes distrib uted processing. If the discrete components are
capable of exhibiting "openness", then the interaction between them can
be characterized as open distributed processing.

In an ideal open distributed system, it should be possible for distributed
applications developed in different environments to interact. This can
be achieved if distributed envi ronments conform to a common conceptual
model or architecture.

This chapter describes a common conceptual framework for the design
of distributed systems, which is gaining a wide degree of acceptance
within the distributed systems research community. This is the basis for
the standardization of Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing
(RM-ODP).