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Microsoft Windows Distributed interNet Applications Architecture (Windows DNA)
Windows DNA, also known as Microsoft's Web Solution Platform, is Microsoft's platform for building a new generation of effective and versatile Intranet/Intranet business applications. Through the COM+ programming model, Windows DNA incorporates a number of familiar technologies, including Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Visual Studio, and Microsoft SQL Server, allowing for the construction of a secure, stable—and scalable—business infrastructure that can readily integrate diverse systems and applications.
At the core of Windows DNA is the capability of building n-tier applications, which include one or more "middle" tiers between the client and the server. An important element of contemporary software architecture, n-tier applications provide clear advantages over typical client/server implementations, especially in the level of scalability they can provide. They are essential for the increasing levels of cross-platform interactivity required by today's and tomorrow's businesses.
The Windows DNA architecture is designed to maximize overall application:
- Autonomy
- Reliability
- Availability
- Scalability
- Interoperability
Working With Other Platforms/Technologies
Interoperability refers to an application's ability to access applications,
data, or resources on other platforms. Many of today's enterprise environments support
several different kinds of hardware and software systems from various vendors that must all work
together in order for the enterprise to be successful.
GeniusLabs consultants have a strong understanding of platforms and technologies from non-Microsoft vendors (i.e. J2EE, JSP, Oracle, etc.), and develops Windows DNA applications that are highly cross-platform interoperable. In order to maximize
application interoperability, GeniusLabs designs Windows DNA applications that rely on:
- Microsoft ActiveX® Data Objects (ADO) or OLE DB for universal data
access.
- Extensible Markup Language (XML) to share data with other
applications.
- DCOM to access applications on UNIX and Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS)
systems.
- MSMQ to access message queuing systems on other platforms.
- COM Transaction Integrator (COMTI) to execute Customer Information Control
Systems (CICS) (LU 6.2) or Information Management Systems (IMS) transactions on
MVS systems
Microsoft .NET
Where Windows DNA is an architecture for building tightly-coupled, distributed applications, as the needs of distributed applications changed to require more
loosely-coupled principles, Microsoft evolved the architecture to .NET.
Microsoft® .NET is Microsoft's emerging strategy for delivering software as a service.
- Microsoft .NET platform
Includes .NET infrastructure and tools to
build and operate a new generation of services, .NET user experience to enable
rich clients, .NET building block services and .NET device software to enable a
new generation of smart Internet devices.
- Microsoft .NET products and services
Includes Microsoft®
Windows.NET (with a core integrated set of building block services), MSN.NET,
personal subscription services, Microsoft® Office.NET, Microsoft® Visual
Studio.NET, and Microsoft® bCentral™ for .NET.
- Third-party .NET services
A vast range of partners and developers
will have the opportunity to produce corporate and vertical services built on
the .NET platform.
The Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft's next-step beyond Windows DNA, makes the Internet a true distributed computing
platform, providing a framework that enables computers, devices, and services to
collaborate.
While it may be too early to tell if Microsoft .NET will be the "next best thing" for application development, GeniusLabs has already begun gaining familiarity with the emerging .NET Platform, products, and services.
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