DCE SPD.PDF

The Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) Version 1.3 for OpenVMS is a product family that implements the Open Software Foundation's (OSF) DCE V1.0.3, adapted and enhanced for OpenVMS VAX and Alpha operating systems. It provides a standard set of services and interfaces for creating, using, and maintaining client-server applications, making underlying networks and operating systems transparent for developers.

Key functionalities include:

• DCE Remote Procedure Call (RPC): Enables direct calls to remote systems as if they were local.
• DCE Distributed Time Service (DTS): Synchronizes time across the network.
• DCE Security Service: Provides secure communications, authentication (Kerberos), and authorization (Access Control Lists).
• DCE Cell Directory Service (CDS): Offers location-independent naming for resources, linked via the Global Directory Agent (GDA) to X.500 or Internet Domain Name Server (BIND).
• Interface Definition Language (IDL) compiler: Used to define remote procedure calls.
• DCE Threads Service: Provides user-context multiprocessing functionality (part of the OpenVMS OS).

OpenVMS-specific enhancements include simplified installation and configuration, integrated login for OpenVMS and DCE cell, utilities for account management (IMPORT/EXPORT), extended IDL compiler support (DEC C++, FORTRAN, C++ objects), IDL development templates, a DEC RPC V1.0 conversion utility, a PC name server proxy agent for Microsoft® RPC, and graphical utilities like NSedit (for CDS navigation) and The Resource Broker (for dynamic resource location and monitoring).

The product family consists of eight separate products (four for OpenVMS VAX, four for OpenVMS Alpha), including:

• DCE Runtime Services Kit: Required for all systems in a DCE cell, providing client functions and administration tools. The right-to-use license is included with the OpenVMS Operating System.
• DCE Application Developers' Kit: Optional for developers, offering DCE APIs and IDL tools.
• DCE Cell Directory Server: At least one required per DCE cell, serving as a central repository for resource information.
• DCE Security Server: At least one required per DCE cell, protecting resources and ensuring secure communications.

System Requirements: OpenVMS Operating System (V5.5-2, V6.0, V6.1 for VAX; V1.5, V6.1 for Alpha) and TCP/IP (required for core DCE cell communication). It supports various Alpha and VAX processors and requires specific disk space (e.g., 36,000 blocks for Alpha Runtime installation). The product is OSF Application Environment Specification /Distributed Computing (AES/DC) certified and conforms to POSIX and NTP standards. It is distributed via TK50 Streaming Tape or CD-ROM.