What we know today.... January 8, 2001Computing Services2 Review of Application Components Review of Middleware Categories Capabilities Recommendation

What we know today...

January 8, 2001 Computing Services 2

Review of Application ComponentsReview of Middleware Categories

CapabilitiesRecommendation or Testing StatusTechnology Review

The Search Continues...

Agenda


Definition of Middleware - July 2000

Middleware is an enabling layer of software that resides between a user of an application and that application’s information. It may provide the presentation, business logic, data access and integration services for that application.


Review of Application Components

User Interface or Presentation

Application or Business Logic

Database or Information


Review of Middleware Categories

Web Enabling Existing Applications

Direct Access to Existing Data

Integration of Legacy Application Logic

Deploying Application Components across Architectural “Layers”


Web Enabling Existing Applications Terminal Emulation over the Web Present Screen Data Graphically Augment Screen Data using Graphical Tools Combine Multiple Screens into a Single

Interface Integrate Screens from Multiple Applications to

form a Single Application



Pros Easiest and simplest solution. No changes to existing applications required. Existing terminal network can use same

applications. Modify UI without changing host application.



Cons Dependent on network connection to Host. Changes to Host applications may force

modifications to UI scripts. Not all Enterprise Hosts are supported by the same

vendor.



Recommended Vendor and Product• Unisys ClearPath NX & A-Series• Unisys ClearPath IX & 2200• IBM, NT, Unix

Core Technology Corporation www.ctc-core.com

•CTCBridge for Java•Visual Underneath•CTC Application Miner



Recommended Vendor and Product• Bull 9000, Zeus, Olympus

•Glink for Java

•GWeb



Technology Review

Web Browser

End User PC

Application Server

UnisysClearPathA-Series

2200 Applications

Bull Applications

IBM Applications

NT & Unix Applications

Legacy Applications


•CTCBridge for Java•Visual Underneath•CTC Application Miner•Glink for Java•GWeb


Direct Access to Existing Data ODBC and OLE DB technology allows SQL

access to non-relational mainframe data Replicate all or portions of mainframe data

to a local or remote relational database Replicated data is maintained using

transaction logs


Testing Data Extraction and Replication •Extract DMSII data to flat files for FTP (Treasury)•Replicate DMSII data to populate a database on the RDBC (Treasury)

Testing ODBC•Will be comparing response times against existing ODBC product, OPEN/A (State)

Testing OLE DB•Loading OLE DB on the Unisys A-Series host•Reviewing coding comparisons



Pros Not dependent on existing application logic.

ODBC / OLE DB Widely used access for most databases.

Data Replication Security and data access rules are enforced by

the host administrator down to field level. Limited data transformation can be applied.



Cons Circumvents existing application logic.

ODBC Tends not to scale well.

OLE DB Lower level access, coding effort more extensive.

Data Replication Replication updates tied to operational updates.



Vendors and Products Being Tested• Unisys ClearPath NX & A-Series

• NT, Unix

•INFOAccess


•DATABridge


UnisysClearPath

Technology Review - INFOAccessDirect Access to Existing Data

Application Server

Database

End User PC INFOAccessData Access

LibraryINFOAccessSQL Server

ODBCApplication


UnisysClearPath

Technology Review - DataBridgeDirect Access to Existing Data

AuditFiles

Database

Database Server

DataBridgeClient

Oracle DB

DataBridgeServer


Integration of Legacy Application Logic Messages and transactions are sent to and

from applications on multiple hosts Messages or inquiries can be synchronous or

asynchronous Provides “Two Phased Commit” technology

for database updates transactions



•Have acquired evaluation copies of:Transaction ManagerHost OLTP Communication ManagerHost Application Developer

•Working with vendors to install and configure software. •Have had several presentations to SIG, more to come.•Hope to demonstrate functionality by end of February


ProsUse existing business logicReal time updates applied to databasesMerge data from different hosts



Cons•Applications require some modifications•Databases require some modifications



Vendors and Products Being Tested• Unisys ClearPath NX & A-Series• IBM, NT, Unix• Bull 9000, Zeus, Olympus

Tuxedo

Xedo

GTEA

Open/OLTP



Technology Review - MessagesIntegration of Legacy Application Logic

HostApplication

Host Services

Host Services

Tuxedo


Technology Review - TransactionsIntegration of Legacy Application Logic

HostApplication

Host ServicesTuxedo


Deploying Application Components across Architectural “Layers”

Each layer is designed to address a specific functionality

Components are designed to be compact and reusable

Components are based on Object Oriented Programming technology


Deploying Application Components across Layers

Architecture Review - Layers

Application & Business Services

•Application Components

•Component Managers

•Shared Services

Presentation

•Terminal Emulation

•Screen Scraping

•HTML / ASP

•Java Scripting

DataManagement

•Legacy Data

•Legacy Applications

•Data Services

•Legacy Management

Integration &Data Access

•Direct Data Access

•Host Integration

•Transaction Managers


•Have acquired evaluation copies of:Transaction ManagerComponent ManagersHost Integration Manager

•Working with vendors to install and configure software. •Will continue to involve SIG in research•Hope to demonstrate functionality by end of March



ProsDistribute application components across multiple hostsNext generation of application development Visual development toolset




ConsNew application development methodologyExtensive training requirementsLittle in-house expertise


Vendors and Products Being Tested• Unisys ClearPath NX & A-Series• IBM, NT, Unix• Bull 9000, Zeus, Olympus

WebLogic

eLink

OPENTI

IIS

MTS

COMTI



Technology Review Host ServicesApplication

Server


Application Server

•COMTI•OPENTI

IISMTS •WebLogic

•eLink

Documents

What we know today.... January 8, 2001Computing Services2 Review of Application Components Review of Middleware Categories Capabilities Recommendation