The integration of new e-Business applications into existing information
systems requires the setting up of an e-Infrastructure characterised by
:
-
Technologies enabling the rapid development of e-Business applications.
- Mechanisms
for connection to efficient, high-performance and secure production applications.
The processing chain overall is composed of the hardware and software
suite which supports at the same time :
- Applications
developed from EJB component libraries and calling on GCOS applications for processing and accessing production data.
- BEA
Systems products (Tuxedo, WebLogic Server etc.), reputed for their ability
to support business applications, while affording the flexibility, richness
and dynamics of open system environments.
- Proven
cooperation mechanisms between the Tuxedo and TP8 transactional monitors.
- GCOS
and Escala servers dimensioned on the basis of the flows necessitated
by the client context.
To attain the efficiency and performance objectives of this link chain,
e-BSP is a platform based on Bull's AIX™, completed by a secure functional
link. e-BSP thus enables use of the best of two worlds :
-
TP8 for a GCOS 8 resident server,
-
UNIX for the application server, which takes its support from the Java
language, and opening up towards the object via the EJB (Enterprise Java
Beans).his global architecture facilitates implementation by the user
of distributed applications by reducing the complexity of the necessary
infrastructure.
e-BSP provides a business application integration platform, validated
from end to end. This platform acts as an Applications Server in the e-Business
context, with a view to making provision for an upgrade to a components
approach (EJB).
e-BSP provides security for the deployment of e-Business solutions thanks
to a complete suite comprising :
• An efficient, flexible and high-performance platform and operating system
offer
• A
link chain, qualified from end to end, from WebLogic Server, up to GCOS 8 inclusive.
• A
services offer comprising :
- Information System general architecture appraisal services, with
a view to e-Business
- e-Business development support and application installation services,
using the software tools available, in liaison with the different data
servers concerned.
e-BSP is available on Escala/AIX™ platforms, and connects to Bull
DPS 9000/SR4500 platforms and subsequent software versions.
It will be seen that e-BSP may connect to data servers other than GCOS 8, but in this case only the LAN-CP/IP link is available.
The end-to-end validated link between WebLogic Server and the GCOS 8
application using TP 8, e-BSP is a fundamental element in the e-Infrastructure,
constituting an applications server which cooperates with the GCOS 8 applications
( the data server) to support the e-Business applications.
e-BSP is composed of :
- An optimised functional link with the GCOS 8 databases via TP8.
From the functional point of view, the most complete solution is supplied
by the WebLogic Server chain which accesses Tuxedo via the JOLT interface
component. Tuxedo communicates using a new version of the proven T8 interoperability
mechanisms, enabling a variety of types of connection, from the simplest
(two-level TP type) to the most sophisticated (TP8 – Tuxedo total
synchronisation, to XA standard).
A simpler solution is supplied using a direct link between WebLogic Server
and TP8.
- A fast and secure hardware link between the AIX™ system and the GCOS 8 system :
In the first stage, the AIX™ platform, in which all of the application
server functions are resident (WebLogic Server, Tuxedo), is connected
to GCOS 8 by a high-performance, secure telecommunications link. In the
second stage, in accordance with the Twin Architecture™ of the new GCOS 8 platforms, integration of the AIX™ systems and of the GCOS 8 system
is over an internal link, in the same way as for a memory (GCOS 8) to
memory (AIX™) exchange.
This internal and therefore tamperproof link, is high-speed, which cuts
response time, and eliminates bottlenecks. This FastLink is based on the
link used for IOSP, available today, but with a protocol optimised for
telecom type exchanges. As soon as it becomes available, the internal
high performance link currently being developed may replace it, with no
other changes necessary.
It should be noted that the link is of the transparent type, both from
the point of view of the applications and middleware protocols, which
protects all developments undertaken. Solution availability over a traditional
link affords anticipation of the beginning of new developments.
The functional, hardware, software and accompanying services set is immediately
available :
In the first stage, the platform supporting the e-Business applications
is connected to GCOS 8 over a LAN TCP/IP hardware link; we recommend installing
a 100 Mbps Ethernet board in Escala, dedicated to the connection to the
Bull DPS 9000 for reasons of security and performance.
In the second stage, in order to meet the increased performance needs,
often difficult to foresee in an e-Business environment, the LAN hardware
link with GCOS 8 shall be replaced by the memory to memory type internal
link developed for the new IOSP input-output processor.
