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Dynix Vision - Multi-tier Support

Many vendors today talk of supporting a multi-tier architecture. Generally, what they mean is that their web-based PAC software is separate and distinct from the application. Or they have an interface to their legacy system to support Java clients. That's about it for most vendors. Generally speaking, the core library automation functionality of most products on the market today is built on software that is 10-20 years old, with an on old monolithic code base that is not the level of multi-tier support we believe is necessary for libraries going forward.

Dynamic Multi-tier Support

Dynix will be delivering an enhanced architecture called Dynamic Multi-tier. Dynamic Multi-tier goes beyond what is available in the library community today:

The overall system is logically split into multiple layers. The biggest change is that the application logic is completely separated from the database server logic.
The application logic runs on different servers than the database server. This is important to note, because the best application server hardware is different than the best database server hardware. This first one needs the fastest processor and most memory that you can get, while the latter needs that fastest disk drives you can get. Still these servers do not need to be expensive, high end Unix servers that are often needed to run today's ILS systems.
The application logic can run across multiple servers simultaneously. The more servers supported for Horizon, the greater the overall power of the system will be.
The HOT multi-tier architectures will support thin clients.

Operating Systems

Dynix will continue to offer libraries multiple choices for the operating systems that are supported. Two big new ones are Linux, both Red Hat and SuSE, as well as Windows Server 2003. These two operating systems will run on very low cost hardware. In addition, we'll continue to support Solaris and HP/UX. (Libraries that want to use IBM RISC systems will want to be running Linux in the future, not AIX. That's where IBM is putting all of its resources – into Linux.)

High Availability and Scalability

Dynix's Dynamic Multi-tier architecture has new abilities that are not available in the library community today.

Within each server, you run a given Java process more than once within a single processor. If one process fails, the other takes over where the first one left off. Even smarter is to run the Horizon Java software across multiple servers. If one server fails, the others take over where the failing server left off. This takes sophisticated coordination, but it offers great benefits.

First, this advanced multi-tier architecture provides high availability. When any server or process fails, the rest of the servers or processes take over where the failing one left off. Staff members and users never know that this happened. It is totally transparent. And the good news is that this can be done with very low cost servers.

Second, it is real easy to add additional server power to support more users. Let's say you are opening up a new library branch or remote campus library. You don't have to go out and buy a larger server. You simply add another low cost server or server blade and you have the equivalent of a larger server. The system is smart enough to do automatic load balancing of all the server processes across all the servers.

This eliminates the need to forecast what server you will need over a 5 to 7 year period. You simply start with today's needs, and add new servers when you need to grow or add new software to your server.

Many of these benefits do not exist with any other library automation system in the world.

Open Database Support

Many libraries have expressed interest in running different databases other than Sybase. Oracle has been one that many academic libraries and large public libraries want to run. In many cases the university already has a site license for Oracle, so they can use Oracle at no additional charge.

Other libraries would prefer to run MS SQL Server, for which we have just added support. Microsoft's SQL database is very economical and provides excellent capabilities.

For Dynix ILS customers, we are working with IBM to provide an low-cost upgrade option. When Dynix ILS customers go to Horizon, they will have the option to move from the UniVerse database to DB2 at a low cost.

And today we offer Sybase database support.

This will give Horizon customers great options at the database level by being able to select the best database to fit their specific needs.

Thin Client

Another major benefit of the HOT multi-tier architecture will be support of "thin clients."

Now the word thin clients means a lot of different things to different people. To some it means everything runs in an Internet browser. To others, it means it is written in Java. But we have seen some very large and slow Java clients. Here's what thin client means to Dynix:

Horizon staff workstations will run a fast and efficient Java-based client. It is difficult to do many functions, like the MARC editor, within an Internet browser. And the level of functionality we are planning for the Horizon staff workstation, would be difficult to do in a browser. At the same time, we will not build a slow Java client. It will be fast and efficient.
With some Horizon products, like Horizon Information Portal and Horizon Digital Library, Internet browser administrative interfaces will be more than adequate. Where we can do this, we will.
The staff workstation will have the ability to run on multiple operating systems – any that support Java. This means a library could use Windows, Macintosh or Linux workstations for staff computers. In the future, we will also see new devices that will be capable of supporting the Horizon staff client. For example, Microsoft just introduced the new Tablet PC operating system, that runs on many new Tablet PCs. These run on 802.11 wireless networks and act like a writing tablet. The full Horizon client will be able to run on Tablet PCs. Other devices will be available in the future that will be supported.
A thin client will be able to run very efficiently over slower speed networks. This means it will work well for bookmobile or library branch applications that could potentially run over wireless or satellite connections.
Most important, it will be very easy to manage all staff workstation software. Software will be updated automatically, like it is now with Horizon 7.2 and above. This will be completely transparent to staff members.
All user support through the Horizon Information Portal will be supported through standard Internet browsers. This will include support for small wireless devices like PDAs and mobile phones.