Open Systems Handbook

Open Systems Handbook, Second Edition provides an easy-to-read, thorough, and management-oriented explanation of the promises, dangers, and realities of open systems.

This edition describes specific products and various open systems that have been updated to reflect the events of the mid-1990s. Emerging open technologies that either didn't exist in 1991 or were in their infancy, such as client/server middleware, are also covered.

Topics include the definitions and history of open systems, open systems components, end user interaction points, and elements of open systems software. The general communications hardware, visual application development, models of integration, and advantages of open systems are likewise elaborated.

This publication is a good reference for computing professionals and engineers working on open systems.

Preface

1 Open Systems Computing

Introduction

Open Systems: Definitions and History

The Users

Business Trends

Market Forces

Computer Changes

Considerations

References

2 Characteristics of Open Systems

Open Systems Components

Clients

Network Services

Servers

Considerations

Characteristics

Qualities

Special Considerations

Security

Recovery

Usability

Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability

Timing Characteristics

Considerations

Note

References

3 Foundations of Open Systems: Hardware, Software, and Standards

Hardware Technology

Software Foundations

Standards and Open Systems

Considerations

References

4 Clients

Desktop Platforms

End User Interaction Points

Input Processing

Output Processing

Personal Computers

Professional Workstations

X Terminals

Mobile Computing

Considerations

References

5 Client Software

Elements of Open Systems Software

Selecting Open Systems Operating Environments

User Interface Software

Personal Productivity Alternatives

Moving to Group Productivity

Personal Data Software

Considerations

References

6 Servers

Hardware Basis for Servers

Different Types of Servers

Data Servers

Compute Servers

Communication Servers

Input/Output Servers

Design Considerations

Parallel Processors as Servers

Mainframe Servers

Considerations

References

7 Server Software

Control Code

Database Services

Information Servers

Communications Support

Compute Servers

Considerations

References

8 Network Characteristics

General Communications Hardware

Local Area Networks

Broader Network Capability

Network Architectures

Distributed Processing

Development Trends

Considerations

References

9 Network Software

Network Protocols

Network Services

Network Control Software

Network Applications

Network Management

Considerations

References

10 Applications

Rightsizing

Application Development Tools

Case Tools

Creating Groupware Applications

Visual Application Development

Multimedia Applications

Electronic Mail

Considerations

References

11 Interoperability

The Challenge

Building the Knowledge Base

The Architecture

Installation

Network Management

Considerations

References

12 The Open Systems Life Cycle

Description of Life Cycle

Decision Phase

Analysis and Design Phase

Development Phase

Integration Phase

Production Phase

Operational and Growth Phase

Considerations

13 Integration

Models of Integration

Control Points

The Integrated Hierarchy

Integration Technologies

Making Integration Work

Considerations

References

14 Building for Continual Improvement

Building for Future Growth

Technology Directions

Workplace Directions

Shifting Market Forces

World Business Forces

Advantages of Open Systems

Considerations

References

Index