Specifications

Distributed Computing Support
3.3 OpenVMS Client/Server Capabilities
PATHWORKS enables PC users to share applications, data, and system resources
such as printers, disks, CD–ROM readers, and network gateways, without losing
the benefits of industry-standard personal computing.
PATHWORKS for OpenVMS enables the OpenVMS server to provide the
following kinds of services (shown in Figure 3–1) to PC clients:
• File, disk, and print services
• Database services
• Electronic mail services
• Application and windowing services
• System management and network services
• Security services
3.3.5 PATHWORKS Configurations
PATHWORKS configurations are flexible and can be changed easily. In most
cases, PATHWORKS client software is originally stored on the server and
downline loaded over the network to the PC when the PC is booted. The PC user
can connect to a particular PATHWORKS server. PC clients can be connected to
multiple servers at the same time.
Configuration changes, such as the addition of new PATHWORKS clients and
servers, do not cause disruption to the PC user environment. PC users can
continue to use the applications they prefer.
3.4 Distributed Application Support
A distributed application consists of separate modules, running on different
processors, that communicate with each other by passing data between modules
or by sharing access to files or databases. The processors in the distributed
configuration can be uniprocessor, multiprocessor, or VMScluster systems;
systems from different vendors can be included in the same configuration.
3.4.1 Support for the OSF Distributed Computing Environment
The OSF Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) is a standard set of
software services and interfaces that support the creation, use, and maintenance
of distributed client/server applications. Digital has implemented a family of
DCE products that include a certified set of DCE functions along with software
for developing distributed applications.
Digital’s implementation of OSF DCE standards,
1
is adapted and enhanced for
OpenVMS as follows:
• Simplified installation and configuration
• Interface Definition Language (IDL) support for both C and Fortran languages
• IDL development templates
• A conversion utility for DCE RPC programs
• The PC NSI Proxy Agent, which enables interoperability with Microsoft’s PC
RPC.
1
OSF DCE Version 1.0.2 (without security replication)
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