Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) for AIX

Distribute the POWER

Highlights

Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) Version 2.1 for AIX^®.:
Extends the industry-leading distributed computing technology to the RS/6000^(tm) workstations and servers
Is a high performance implementation based upon DCE Version 1.1 from Open Software Foundation^®. (OSF) supporting advanced levels of security, management, administration, and programming interfaces
Provides a comprehensive, integrated set of services for security, naming, interprocess communication, and resource management in a multivendor distributed environment
Offers a "Getting Started" developers' package to enable design and implementation of secure distributed applications that match business needs
Is packaged for convenience; with DCE Base Services integrated with AIX Version 4
Exploits AIX Version 4 for integrated login and threaded support of powerful multiprocessor systems
Supports global data sharing through the base Distributed File System (DFS) available in AIX Version 4. Advanced features such as data replication and on-line backup are provided in the Enhanced Distributed File System (EDFS)

Many corporations are faced with collections of computing today that do not match their business goals. They need a comprehensive and open infrastructure upon which to re-engineer business applications.

DCE is the foundation for distributed client/server computing in the open enterprise for the 1990s. With DCE, you can develop distributed applications in a network-independent manner without having to develop code functions like security, naming, and time services.

DCE applications allow secure access to enterprise resources and data. So, if your business needs programs like distributed decision support, process control, office productivity tools, program distribution and on-line transaction processing (OLTP) systems, DCE for AIX is your solution.

Best of all, DCE allows you to exploit the unique power and flexibility of RS/6000 workstations and servers to run a broad range of distributed applications. DCE builds on the commercial strength of IBM's powerful UNIX^®. operating system, AIX Version 4, primed with features like real-time support, system management tools, and superb file and volume capabilities.

In response to customer demand, IBM is investing in DCE technologies across all of its platforms. Starting with code licensed from the Open Software Foundation, IBM has developed DCE offerings allowing customers maximum flexibility in distributed application design.

These products provide an integrated set of services that are being exploited to deliver secure and robust applications, tools, and services. The goal is to extend the power and availability of traditional IBM mainframe environments throughout the enterprise. IBM plans to continue a roll-out of DCE-based solutions and services to meet the large scale client/server requirements of today's businesses.

The DCE Product Family for AIX includes:

DCE for AIX Base Services, which provides remote procedure call, cell directory and security clients, time services, basic distributed file system services, and administrative tools.
DCE for AIX Cell Directory Services, which provides a highly available, efficient naming service for all network objects.
DCE for AIX Security Services, which provides authentication using a trusted, third-party model based on Kerberos^(tm) Version 5, authorization services, and data encryption. Security replication is supported.
DCE Application Developers' Kit for AIX, which provides a broad set of tools necessary for application development.
DCE EDFS for AIX, which enhances basic distributed file system services with replication, cloning and file set aggregation extensions.
DCE for AIX pthreads, applications access AIX Version 4.1 threads through the DCE threads compatibility library.
Access to X.500 global directory services is through the supplied DCE X.500 API library.

Features and Benefits

Client/server architecture

Masks the physical complexity of a network from the programmer, user, and administrator

Remote procedure call (RPC)

Extends the familiar procedure call model by supporting direct calls to procedures on remote systems, enabling programmers to develop distributed applications as easily as traditional, single-system programs
Includes a pipe mechanism to allow bulk transfer of data
Handles data representation conversions transparently

Time service

Provides fault-tolerant clock synchronization across WANs and LANs for the sequencing, duration, and scheduling of applications

Cell directory service

Gives you a common naming service for all resources on the network, such as servers, files, disks, or print queues
Allows users to refer to a resource by the same name even if the network address changes
Greatly increases the efficiency and speed of previous lookups by automatically caching the results of lookups and by replicating services

Global directory agent

Provides access to global directory based on industry standards, CCITT X.500/ISO 9594:1988

Security service

Supports IETF standard GSSAPI library
Provides trusted, third-party authentication and access protection through access control lists (ACLs)
Includes security replication feature for improved availability

pthreads

Allow you to build applications that can execute multiple tasks within a single process
Based on POSIX^(tm) 1003.4a Draft 4 standard; mapped to AIX Version 4.1 native threads

Enhanced Distributed File System

Builds on the fundamental features of DCE: security, threads, RPC, directory, and time services
Allows transparent access to files anywhere on the network including AIX CD-ROM file systems
Improves administration through file sets
Boosts reliability through a log-based physical file system and through the data replication feature
Provides authenticated access from any Network File System (NFS) client through DCE NFS to DFS Authenticating Gateway

Administrative tools

Allow any machine in the network to perform as an administrative console for such tasks as adding or deleting users, managing namespace entries, and manipulating ACLs on DCE objects
Provide advanced monitoring of DCE environment through optional DCE Manager for AIX product

AIX DCE network topology

AIX DCE at a glance

Hardware requirements

All workstation/server models configured with a minimum of one supported display with keyboard and mouse, or on supported ASCII terminal

Memory requirements*

Recommended minimum for all DCE Servers is 32MB and 16MB for DCE Base Services

Fixed-disk requirements** (approximate)

AIX DCE Base Services (client)
18.5MB + 10MB DFS client cache
AIX DCE Cell Directory Services
2.4MB***
AIX Security Services
4.3MB***
AIX DCE Enhanced Distributed File System
4.9MB***
AIX publications (softcopy)
25MB
AIX DCE Application Developers Kit
5.4MB
AIX DCE Manager Data Masking Encryption Facility
0.2MB
AIX DCE NFS to DFS Authenticating Gateway
0.3MB***

Operating system

AIX Version 4.1.3

Packaging and installation

Can be preinstalled on system fixed-disk storage or shipped on 1/4-inch or 8-mm tapes

*These requirements do not take other application demands into consideration.
**Consult your IBM marketing representative for more current information, including paging space requirements.
***AIX DCE Base Services must also be installed.

DCE at work

Here are some ways you can put DCE to work for you:

Establish a coherent, standards-based, open computing environment where all users can transparently share files, communications, applications and other resources - even if they are working on workstations and operating systems from different vendors.
Provide access to information wherever it is stored without exposing the network's complexity to the end user, system administrator or application developer.
Helps to prevent fraudulent access, maintain the user registry database, and generally ensure the integrity and privacy of files and applications across your heterogeneous network.
Access remote files in a convenient, timely fashion - regardless of the size of your network, geographic location or hardware type.
Establish an open, distributed OLTP environment with Encina^®. for AIX and CICS^(tm) for AIX - each allowing you to develop and run business applications on RS/6000 workstations.

For more information on the RISC System/6000 products, call your IBM marketing representative or IBM Business Partner; or
Access http://www.austin.ibm.com on the Internet to get to the RS/6000 Products and Services page on IBM's World Wide Web server, and then select the Software option.
Call 1 800 IBM-CALL (1 800 426-2255) to reach IBM DIRECT. In Canada, call 1 800 363-RISC (1 800 363-7472).
Call 1 800 IBM-4FAX (1 800 426-4329) to have information faxed to your location.

IBM Corporation
Department 69B
RISC System/6000 Division
Route 100
P.O. Box 100
Somers, New York 10589

References in this publication to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM operates.

Photographs show engineering and design models. Changes may be incorporated in production models.

This equipment is subject to FCC rules. It will comply with the appropriate FCC rules before final delivery to the buyer.

The RISC System/6000^® and AIX family of products are developed and manufactured under ISO 9000 registered quality systems.

The IBM home page can be found at http://www.ibm.com

^®.: AIX, IBM, and RISC System/6000 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines.
^(tm): CICS and RS/6000 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
^®.: Open Software Foundation is a registered trademark of Open Software Foundation, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Limited. X/Open is a registered trademark of X/Open Company, Limited.
^(tm): POSIX is a trademark of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

All other products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

G221-3465-04 / G2213465