Implementing Distributed Computing at Cornell University

Abstract

This paper describes the approach used at Cornell University to empower Information Technologies and user staff to develop client-server applications. The lofty design principles of open architecture, standards, reusability, scalability, and portability were tempered by the application of the real world constraints of limited budgets, legacy data, time to market, security, performance and the cost of training. Considerable experimentation with prototypes led to the decision to invest in two areas: (1) creating a developer tool kit--an integrated set of applications, tools, protocols, and procedures; and (2) implementing several key system infrastructure services. The project that created the tool kit and implemented the infrastructure services was called Mandarin. This effort has resulted in an environment that facilitates the rapid creation of client-server applications.The intent of this presentation is to share our experiences. We will explain why we chose the approach we did, briefly describe our current development environment, and demonstrate some applications and the tools used to create them. Case studies will be used to discuss some of the problems, required cultural changes, costs, and benefits of our approach.