Task: Optimize Distribution Architecture
This task selects and optimizes the communications between non-colocated objects in the system. This includes the communication links, buses, networks, and middleware.
Disciplines: Architecture
Purpose
The purpose of this task is to identify and specify the means objects will use to communicate across address-space boundaries.
Relationships
Main Description
The primary concerns of the distribution architecture view are to select physical media for communications, selection and tuning of the communication protocols that will operate the physical media, determine the middleware.
Steps
Identify the physical media for communications
This step selects the type of bus, network or other physical means used to allow objects in different address spaces to communication.
Selec and/or specify middleware
Many different middleware packages exist that provide different kinds of services and optimizations for communications. Based on the analysis of your design criteria, you may select one or more middleware components to facilitate your distribution architecture.
Select and/or specify communication protocols
The communication protocol defines the means by which the physical media will be used to send, receive, and validate message traffic.
Analyze message traffic
In order to make the best decisions for the distribution view, it is important to understand and characterize the message traffic and the communication constraints on that traffic before selecting the physical media, communication protocol, or middleware.
Select design patterns that optimize communication design criteria
Many different design patterns exist to optimize communications. See references.
Tune communication protocols
Many communication protocols are used in a variety of situations and are designed to be tuned to provide optimal performance in different situations. This may involve the enabling of ACK/NAK or physical media handshaking, selection of optimal datagrams or packet size, etc.
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