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The middleware course content

Unit 1: Fundamentals of middleware
1. 1.1 Introduction to middleware
  1. 1.1.1 Course overview, MW definition, styles of MW, key players
2. 1.2 Distributed objects
  1. 1.2.1 Middleware supporting distributed object
  2. 1.2.2 The Common Object Request Broker Architecture, CORBA
  3. 1.2.3 Java RMI, .Net Remoting
  4. 1.2.4 ORB Engineering, RM-ODP
3. 1.3 From distributed objects to components
  1. 1.3.1 Rationale, definition of components, key players, EJB architecture
4. 1.4 Middleware and Internet
  1. 1.4.1 Current trends including SOAP (XML), Web-services, .NET.
5. By the end of unit 1, you should be able to:
  - Discuss the role and importance of middleware, and capture the essence of distributed object technology;
  - Describe clearly a middleware architecture, with emphasis on the structure of the ORB (how is a remote invocation performed?);
  - Develop small distributed applications using Java RMI/EJB, .Net, CORBA or similar middleware platform;
  - Compare different ORB technologies such as CORBA, Java RMI and .Net;
  - List the differences between component and distributed object technologies;
  - Describe clearly a software component architecture;
  - Compare and contrast emerging component technologies such as CCM, EJB and .NET.
Unit 2: Current research challenges in middleware
1. 2.1 Multimedia
  1. 2.1.1 Introduction to multimedia
  2. 2.1.2 Distributed multimedia
  3. 2.1.3 Resource management, stream synchronization
  4. 2.1.4 Multimedia middleware
2. 2.2 Mobile and ubiquitous computing
  1. 2.2.1 Introduction to mobile computing, key underlying technologies, ubiquitous computing
  2. 2.2.2 Mobility and adaptation, support for mobility in middleware
3. By the end of unit 2, you should be able to:
  - List the main requirements imposed on middleware from the areas of multimedia, real-time computing, and mobility;
  - Describe in more detail the key characteristics of a distributed multimedia system, with emphasis on support for continuous media;
  - Discuss the state of the art of existing middleware platforms and technologies in terms of supporting the above areas;
  - Describe key research projects addressing the shortcomings in the state of the art, highlighting the main approach adopted in each case;
  - Perform some critical evaluation of such research projects, and associated research papers.
Unit 3: reflective middleware - the next generation?
1. 3.1 Introduction to reflective middleware
  1. 3.1.1 Introduction to computational reflection, styles of reflection
  2. 3.1.2 Reflective middleware (OpenORB, Arctic Beans, others)
2. 3.2 The future of middleware
  1. 3.2.1 Discussion on the future of middleware
3. By the end of unit 3, you should be able to:
  - Define precisely what is meant by the term reflection, and also discuss the rationale for this technology;
  - Discuss the particular interpretation of reflection in the domain of middleware, and the styles of reflection most suited to this area;
  - Describe the main features of a one key research platforms in this area;
  - Discuss potential future directions in middleware technology.

Created by aa
Last modified 2005-04-19 08:32

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