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Heterogeneous Systems

Heterogeneous Systems. CPIS 210 John Beckett. In the Beginning. A vendor provided all technology to address a specific business problem These technologies were isolated “silos” If there was a problem, it was one of: The vendor You. Later….

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Heterogeneous Systems

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  1. Heterogeneous Systems CPIS 210 John Beckett

  2. In the Beginning • A vendor provided all technology to address a specific business problem • These technologies were isolated “silos” • If there was a problem, it was one of: • The vendor • You

  3. Later… • IBM discovered that they couldn’t profitably handle every need in the market-place • But they wanted business from people who had those needs • They contracted with select vendors (e.g. Calcomp) to provide specific items (e.g. plotters) • Still: Single point of responsibility – the primary vendor • “Core System” concept

  4. Enter Standards • Manufacturers discovered that they could focus on their core competence by facilitating connections to devices from companies with other core competences. • The secret: standards • Manufacturer would propose a standard to an industry committee • The committee would approve and publish the standard

  5. What Kind of Standard? Industry Committee De-Facto Use by one vendor of specifications published or used by another vendor May actually be reverse-engineered No formal process for updating Subject to unpredictable changes by vendors on either side • A result of formal negotiations between industry partners • Designated by a specific number (including version) so you know precisely what is meant

  6. Challenges With Standards • Incomplete: You can’t do the job without specs not mentioned in the standard • Missing pieces are doubtless filled with proprietary technology e.g. SCORM • Vague: Does the standard merely describe the many ways people do this? • Inefficient: There are better ways, implemented in “proprietary enhancements” • Are these in a draft for a revision of the standard?

  7. Dangers of Reverse-Engineering • The vendor whose interface has been reverse-engineered may change that interface • The vendor that did the reverse-engineering may not update when a change occurs • Correction may be late • Correction may not be possible • A vendor may actually be creating their own alternative, for which they may want money

  8. CSA Skills to the Rescue • Data Fluency • Understanding how data is structured and transmitted • Systems Thinking • Empirical Research • RTFM • Overall Understanding of how the system functions • Documentation • And Record keeping • Planning

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