Here is all the practical, hands-on information you need to build, manage and maintain a heterogeneous computing environment with hardware, software, and network equipment from a number of different vendors. Packed with real-world case studies and proven techniques for integrating disparate platforms, operating systems and servers, Handbook of Heterogeneous Computing is a one-stop, non-nonsense guide that shows you how to: * port and develop applications in a heterogeneous environment * manage desktops, data access, communications, and security in a heterogeneous environment * and build distributed heterogeneous systems What is best for your installation? Should you standardize on the Windows environment for both production applications and office applications? Should you adopt the Windows NT workstation as a standard desktop and use Windows NT as the network operating system? Handbook of Heterogeneous Computing details the advantages and disadvantages of these and other approaches. The book also explains: * the arts of porting and developing applications in a heterogeneous environment using Java, CGI/Perl, and other tools * how to build interfaces with mainframe legacy systems * how to use CORBA to integrate distributed database systems while at the same time managing database gateways and interoperability * how to manage interlan switching, multicast networking structures, SNA-LAN integration, and all aspects of enterprise networks * and how to use Kerberos, firewalls, PGP, RSA public keys, and other tools to assure security in heterogeneous environments. Heterogeneous computing is here to stay. It is therefore up to corporate end-users to make competing products fit into their environments efficiently, effectively and economically. Handbook of Heterogeneous Computing gives you the information you need to do just that.

Table of Contents:
Homogeneous vs. Heterogeneous Environments SECTION I: PORTING AND DEVELOPING APPLICATIONS IN A HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT Porting Issues Due to Operating Systems Differences Porting Applications Between Heterogeneous Environments/Rewriting Applications Porting GUI Programs Visual Basic and Object Oriented Development Developing New Applications in a Heterogeneous Environment Accessing Windows Applications from UNIX and Vice Versa Developing Workstation-Based Client/Server Applications Java Application Development Including Database and Network Integration Using Java for Application Development and Comparison with CGI/Perl SECTION II: DESKTOPS IN A HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT Enterprise Desktops and Emulators Desktop Evolution Driving Connectivity Technologies Survival of the Fittest: The Evolution to Thin Client Intranet Considerations for Implementing Corporate Intranets Client/Server: An Architectural Overview Client/Server Technologies Mainframe Legacy Application Interfacing and Data Access Managing Applications on the Network SECTION III: DATA ACCESS IN A HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT Accessing Distributed Databases Data Communications and Distributed Data Heterogeneous Network File and Print Access Using CORBA to Integrate Distributed Database Systems Database Interoperability Database Gateways and Interoperability Managing Multiple Data Bases Across Heterogeneous Systems Parallel Databases Legacy Data Base Conversion SECTION IV: SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION IN A HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT Netware Considerations NetWare Gateways to the World of TCP/IP and Internet Multilayer IP/IPX Switching in the LAN Comparing Windows NT and UNIX System Administration Open Systems Integration: Issues in Design and Implementation Managing Heterogeneous Environments Management of Distributed Operations Business Continuity in the Distributed Environment SECTION V: COMMUNICATIONS IN A HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT The Essentials of Enterprise Networking InterLAN Switching High-Speed Services for LAN Interconnection Enterprise Network Monitoring and Analysis Multicast Network Infrastructures Internetworking at the Physical and Data Link Layers Planning, Designing and Optimization of Enterprise Networks Distributed Network Support and Control E-Mail and Internet in Heterogeneous Environments Managing Coexisting SNA and LAN Internetworks SNA-LAN Integration Strategies SNA Over Frame Relay Choosing a Remote Access Strategy Operating a Network Help Desk in a Heterogeneous Environment SECTION VI: SECURITY IN A HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT Implementing Kerberos in Distributed Systems Assessing and Eliminating Virus Threats in Distributed Networks E-Mail Security Using Pretty Good Privacy Network Security Network/Internet Firewalls Internet Security Using Firewalls Applets and Network Security: A Management Overview RSA Public Key Cipher, Public Key Certificates, and E-Mail Privacy Protocols Considerations for LAN and Internet Security Relational Database Access Controls Using SQL SECTION VII: IMPLEMENTING HETEROGENEOUS SYSTEMS Heterogeneous Solution Selection Factors and Guidelines Solution Selection Guidelines Acquiring Systems for Multivendor Environments Evaluating Vendor Support Policies WAN Network Integration: A Case Study Remote LAN/WAN Connections: A Case Study Frame Relay in an IBM Environment APPENDIX A: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Migration./Coexistence Products and Vendor Contact Information Newsgroups Online Services Forums and Software Courses FTP Sites Books APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY Raj Rajagopal has more than 18 years of professional experience in progressively responsible positions covering all phases of software development-requirements, architecture, high-level design, low-level design, coding, testing, maintenance, and both project and line management. Currently, he is a Senior Computer Scientist at Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute (IITRI) involved with Technology Assessments.