Using open systems interconnection standards as the base for a comprehensive distributed system

Abstract This paper takes a pragmatic, real-world view of the role that Open System standards can take as the base for a comprehensive, enterprise-wide, distributed system architecture. Recognizing that OSI standards will at any time fall short of providing a complete solution, the paper describes strategies and tactics for using OSI, proprietary, and commodity products together, while managing the evolution of all of these in a “graceful” manner. The paper then summarizes the basic architectural approach adopted by Bull. Bull has been fully committed to OSI for more than 10 years as part of an integrated OSI, proprietary, and commodity solution.