CONTENTS
Businesses today find themselves faced with computing environments that are both heterogeneous and distributed. Past investments, each based on reasonable business decisions, have produced and will continue to produce a disparate mix of operating systems, hardware platforms, applications, and database management systems (DBMSs). As a result, access to data is restricted and information flow within the organization does not support actual business needs. Businesses typically look to the client/server model as the solution to their computing problems. By replacing centralized and monolithic applications with modular, distributed and open systems, client/server computing offers an environment that is easier to extend and maintain -- and that is more responsive to a businessÆ changing needs. However, as most businesses find, the transition to client/server computing is not an easy one.
Business Demands for Data
Business must now confront an exploding demand for wider access to the companyÆs information base. Executives and managers, working from desktop or laptop PCÆs need access to current data from the corporate databases to produce accurate forecasts, schedules and plans. Access to live data can shorten a business process from literally days to minutes. To support these rapidly growing business demands, developers must have access to new technologies and development tools so they can quickly build efficient client/server applications.
HyperSTAR Object Messaging Middleware
VMARKÆs HyperSTAR object-messaging middleware provides a single, easy to implement solution for providing access to disparate data sources. In doing so, it helps ensure that the information flow supports the businessÆ changing needs.
Client/Server Solution
The HyperSTAR solution is based on object-messaging middleware that seamlessly integrates all of a companyÆs different information sources regardless of location or hardware platform, creating a coherent, consistent environment. It consists of a suite of integrated vendor-independent client and server components that provide a single source answer to the problems of data access to heterogeneous and distributed DBMSs.
Faster to Implement
HyperSTAR can be installed quickly. Each DBMS is supported by a server product specific to the DBMS and its operating platform. The client products are quickly installed on PC æs running Microsoft Windows, UNIX or Macintosh. Users are up and running sooner because they work in a familiar environment. Configuration and end-to-end testing is easy with the Windows-based configuration manager.
Easier to Extend
Any HyperSTAR client works with any HyperSTAR server. Providing access to a DBMS is as simple as installing the server product for that DBMS. Adding new users is as simple as installing the client software. Because clients and servers share the same object messaging technology, they automatically know how to talk to each other. Also, upgrades can be scheduled at your convenience because HyperSTAR clients and servers are capable of "versionable streaming" -- they can communicate with each other across different versions of HyperSTAR. No longer do all clients and servers have to be upgraded at the same time.
Easier to Support
Support costs are minimized by HyperSTARÆs simplified implementation, configuration, and administration, as well as by its easy-to-use diagnostics.
Also, VMARKÆs Vantage service organization is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
HyperSTAR Clients - Leveraging Standards-based Interfaces
The client component of the HyperSTAR solution provides a level of abstraction in the user interface. This level of abstraction allows developers and users to leverage industry standards as well as unique and inherent database attributes across a wide range of database management systems.
HyperSTAR offers a choice of interfaces that allows developers to use the best available development environments to build the best possible solutions. With HyperSTAR, client independence comes built-in. The HyperSTAR client component is available for Windows, UNIX, and Macintosh platforms -- today.
Regardless of the platform, the HyperSTAR client component provides an easy way to access data from disparate sources, while at the same time, hiding the complexities of the client/server.
HyperSTAR Servers DBMS-specific
The server component of the HyperSTAR solution executes on the systems where the corporate data stores are maintained. These may be mainframe or minicomputer legacy systems or LAN-based servers. In each case, the HyperSTAR server is designed for the specific DBMS in question. HyperSTAR provides separate servers for a large number of DBMSs.
The job of the HyperSTAR server is to function as an intermediary between the HyperSTAR client software, on the one hand, and the DBMS, on the other. Specifically, it translates user requests to optimized DBMS-specific instructions. It also performs the reverse translation, transforming DBMS data results that are meaningful to the end user.
Cooperative Processing -- An Integrated Systems Approach
The communication between HyperSTARÆs client and server components is based on object messaging technology. Both client requests and server data results take the form of objects, which are simply "intelligent" containers for data.
HyperSTARÆs use of objects for client/server messaging provides access to the full power of each supported DBMS. Unlike other middleware products, HyperSTAR does not sacrifice DBMS functionality by imposing a single, least-common denominator, set of functions for all DBMSs. HyperSTARÆs range of options allow you to use the full functionality of both relational and non-relational databases.
HyperSTAR provides built-in extensibility. It not only makes it easy to add more capability to your present implementation, it also provides a foundation in object technology, which is emerging as a key to the future development of client/server computing.
HyperSTAR also helps ensure optimized network traffic and user response times. Its built-in algorithms automatically provide the most efficient caching, pipelining, and message packing.
By using object messaging technology, HyperSTAR implements a complete end-to-end test and diagnostics capability based on error messages built into all client/server exchanges.
This object messaging ensures synergy between all HyperSTAR client and server functions.
All Clients Work With All Servers
Object messaging makes it possible for any client to communicate with any server. The ability of any client to talk with any server without a gateway is unique in the industry. In short, it provides the foundation that allows an end user to access multiple and different DBMSs from the front-end application.
Because HyperSTAR is extensible, you can easily add additional clients and servers, as dictated by your business plans.
HyperSTARÆs components can communicate with each other regardless of any version differences among them. HyperSTARÆs support for "versionable streaming" means that you can upgrade selected HyperSTAR components when you want -- without having to upgrade all components at once.
In addition to version independence, HyperSTAR offers:
HyperSTAR clients provide multiple interfaces, most of which are based on established standards. As a result, you can have confidence that shrink-wrapped applications and development tools will work with HyperSTAR. Depending on your application, you may prefer one interface because it provides a lower-level of control or you may prefer another because it supports faster development.
Find out more about the HyperSTAR Clients by clicking on our Fact Sheets:
Protection of investment in legacy data is as easy as installing the server specific to the legacy DBMS. Once installed, the server makes the data available to all HyperSTAR clients.
Optimized and efficient interfaces to over 50 data sources. Each server is specific to a given DBMS or file system and is optimized for access to that data. At the same time, each server "knows" HyperSTARÆs object-messaging protocol so that it can communicate with any client application.
Support for high-performance multiple connections means that each HyperSTAR server can simultaneously handle access requests from many clients, regardless of their locations.
Support for asynchronous parallel processing streams means that servers can accommodate multiple clients operating over dial-up lines. Client applications can access servers via modem links as well as dedicated lines.
A more cost-effective solution is provided by HyperSTAR servers because they include all necessary network communications software. They eliminate the need for expensive communications and gateway software required with conventional DBMS front ends.
Fast, easy setup without sacrificing DBMS functionality is possible because HyperSTAR servers incorporate the same object messaging technology as clients. They automatically know how to talk to clients. At the same time, each server is tuned to take full advantage of the capabilities of its associated database.
Commitment to growth is evidenced by the fact that new servers are continually being added to the HyperSTAR line. The new servers provide support for additional DBMSs and operating systems. Also, VMARK is committed to providing support for new DBMSs and operating systems as they emerge.
Find out more about the HyperSTAR Servers by clicking on our Fact Sheets:
Hands-on assistance is provided by VMARKÆs worldwide service organization.
Customized consultation services can help with everything from requirements analysis, specification, and design to actual implementation and project management.
Toll-free hotline support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Comprehensive education and training are available for user, administrative, and technical staff, with scheduling at your convenience.
The HyperSTAR products are available in the following packages:
HyperSTAR Servers are available for a large number of DBMSs and file systems on a variety of operating platforms. DBMSs supported include INFORMIX, Oracle, DB2, PI/open, INGRES, SYBASE, uniVerse, and COBOL files.
To get more information on the HyperSTAR family of products or other VMARK products, including the uniVerse relational database management system and Object Studio object development tool, please contact your local VMARK sales office.
VMARK SALES OFFICES
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