battle@umbc3.UMBC.EDU (Rick) (12/12/89)
In following the Client/Server model discussion in this group it is apparent there is a large amount of knowledge and skill possessed by most of you. Within a given area of the model differing perspectives/opinions are expressed (which is good) however, there seems to be a lack of continunity or organization to the discussion. We need some glue. A highlight of various points from the latest posting are collected below. They number 15 in all. May I suggest that the list be expanded-contracted appropriately to relfect the major headings and provide some common ground. Please feel free to contribute. Summary will be posted as soon as the S/N dips below the threshold. 1. support for multiple processors (both on the PC level ((Compaq et al.)) and mini's) what is good-bad-ugly? 2. How are multiple servers managed. Separate software, integrated into DBMS or OS ??? 3. Can servers communicate with each other? Independent of a user request? If so, what type communications are likely to occur? 4. Advantage of multiple servers running on one machine. 5. Support for RPC, viable in a PC client/server mode? 6. List of desired stored procedures. Go wild on this one. 7. How is data integrity managed? 8. Job scheduler yea or nay? Limits, functionality? 9. Benchmarks (hot topic) for the general user who is going to buy the product. What can system XYZ do 50% of the time, 75% of the time, 90% of the time. Real world examples, please. 10. Storage issues? (can you do it on a floppy :-) Image an organization spends all of its allocated buget on a system and THEN finds out it needs 100% more disk! 11. Vendor support for client/server product? How different from average DBMS or word processor-spreadsheet? 12. Access methods? What kind, advantages-disadvantages??? 13. GUI for the user. Yea, I know but, be kind. 14. Role of OS/2? What accommodations for IBM's Graphical Data Display Manager (PM). (It may come as a shock to you but, organizations with BUCKS to buy client/server technology are warming up fast to OS/2 now that Lotus and Word Perfect Corp. have joined forces under PM). Can you say "MISS THE BOAT?" 15. How does a given client/server implementation talk to DB2 or RDB? (The guys/gals who sign the checks want to know) Have fun, comment freely so we all can benefit. Cheers... Rick Battle KB3NG