420 likes | 647 Views
Middleware. in search of. Agenda. Overview Definition of Middleware Background Project Methodology Technology Choices IT Infrastructures Current Department Initiatives The Next Step. Overview.
E N D
Middleware in search of...
Agenda • Overview • Definition of Middleware • Background • Project Methodology • Technology Choices • IT Infrastructures • Current Department Initiatives • The Next Step Computing Services
Overview Our mission - To research, evaluate and make preliminary recommendations for a set of software tools. These tools will enable Departments and Agencies to integrate their business processes that exist on either enterprise or client/server hosts. This would facilitate providing services to citizens, business partners and employees over the internet. This set of tools is know as middleware. Computing Services
Definition of Middleware • 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. Computing Services
Background • In January 2000, began the project to research and recommend middleware tools. • Project team consisted of members from Computing Services (MIPC, Enterprise Help Desk, Enterprise Security), OITS and CBSI. • Research was completed on June 1. • Project results will be presented to ECLT in June and July. Computing Services
Project Methodology 1. Defined Middleware categories 2. Developed Criteria and Requirements 3. Compiled a Short List of Vendors 4. Performed Prototyping and Benchmarking 5. Produced Preliminary Results of Research Computing Services
1. Defined Middleware categories • Web Enabling Existing Applications • Transaction Processing using Objects • Transaction Processing using Messaging • Direct Access to Data • Procedural and Data Gateways • Transaction Managers and Monitors Computing Services
2. Developed Criteria and Requirements • Functionality that a product must have. • Desirable features. • Capabilities that would add to the overall usability of the product. Computing Services
3. Compiled a Short List of Vendors • Reviewed Vendor product Information. • Product literature and Web page content • Vendor interviews • Matched against Criteria and Requirements. • Documented product compliance. Computing Services
4. Performed Prototyping and Benchmarking • Acquired demo versions of products. • Loaded onto project test lab. • Verified advertised functionality. • Documented test results. Computing Services
5. Produced Preliminary Results of Research • Preliminary recommendations presented to Technical Review Committee (C/S, OITS, CBSI). • Project managers are summarizing recommendations into a single document. • Scheduled to be presented to ECLT in July. Computing Services
So now what? Computing Services
Technology Choices • Update existing mainframe applications. • Create new applications using Objects or Messaging technology. • Access mainframe & client/server databases directly. • Replicate one or more database to a relational database. Computing Services
Update Existing Mainframe Applications • Used to modernize or “re-purpose” applications without re-engineering. • Provides reliable, cost effective, and secure access to information. • Based on terminal emulation and screen scraping. • Uses HTML, ASP and JAVA scripting. Computing Services
HTML ASP JAVA • Web Enabling Existing Applications Access a mainframe application from an internet browser Computing Services
Vendors of Web Enabling Technology • Attachmate • Core Technology Corporation • Gallagher/ Robertson • Hummingbird • ICom Informatics. • Standard Networks Computing Services
Creating Applications using Objects • An object is a self-contained entity that contains procedures that manipulate data. • Provides portability and interoperability of objects across heterogeneous systems. • Uses Java Beans, COM and DCOM or CORBA technologies. • Used when synchronous processing is required. Computing Services
object Presentation logic Object Business logic object • Transaction Processing using Objects Viewing road construction zones on a highway map for travel planning. Computing Services
Vendors of Object Oriented Technology • BEA, Inc. • IBM • IONA • Microsoft • Unisys Computing Services
Creating Applications using Messaging • Enables direct or indirect program to program communication. • Messages can travel over different networks and protocols, computer systems and software. • Uses message passing, queuing, switching and replication technology. • Can be synchronous or asynchronous. Computing Services
Message server Q E-mail server • Example using Messaging Accessing a library of registration forms, filling them out online and having results e-mailed to your PC. Computing Services
Vendors of Messaging Technology • BEA, Inc. • Bull • IBM • Level 8 • Microsoft • Oracle Computing Services
Direct Access to Mainframe Data • Creates SQL based access to mainframe host data. • Host Administrator process enforces security and data access rules. • Circumvents existing application logic. • Uses ODBC, JDBC and OLE for DB technology. Computing Services
Client Application Data Access Driver • Direct Access to Data Query a mainframe database for a list of Department field offices and order the list based on a citizen’s zip code. Host Administrator Computing Services
Vendors or Direct Access Technology • Asgard Software • EasySoft • IBM • NCR • Pioneer Systems, Inc. • UniAccess Computing Services
Data Replication • Copies all or part of operational data to a relational database. • The replicated data may be refreshed when updates occur to the original data. • Refresh cycles should be asynchronous to allow continued access to operational data. • Data can be reformatted during replication. Computing Services
Process Database server Inquiry DB • Data Replication Create and maintain a relational inquiry database using information from an operational process Replicator Computing Services
Vendors of Data Replication Technology • Attachmate • IBM • Microsoft • Oracle Computing Services
IT Infrastructures • Current Environment • Middleware Enabled Environment • Computing Services Support Initiatives Computing Services
Internet LMAN Network • Current Environment Computing Services
I n t e r n e t • Presentation • Business Logic LMAN Network • Data Access • Data Replication • Middleware Enabled Environment Computing Services
Computing Services Support Initiatives Special Interest Groups • Representatives from Departments, Computing Services and OITS. • Review Product Selection. • Resolve support issues. • Address security concerns. • Insure functionality supports Depts objectives. Computing Services
Computing Services Support Initiatives Coordinate Training • Develop Vendor Contracts. • Centralized Facilities. • Explore Product capabilities Computing Services
Computing Services Support Initiatives Continue the research • Develop research teams with Departments. • Explore Product capabilities. • Research enhanced functionality. • Propose new features to vendors. Computing Services
Current Department Initiatives • DOE Teacher Certification Inquiry. • MDOS Repeat Offender Inquiry for auto dealers. • Others... Computing Services
Special Interest Group participation. • SIG member nominations. • Publish presentation to MIPC Web Site. • www.state.mi.us/cio/cs • The Next Step Jerry Morey moreyj@state.mi.us 322-1225 Computing Services