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RBOs represent the object abstraction of the back-end U2 data server. RBOs, comprised of properties and methods, are created with the RedBack Designer tool. Properties can include actual U2 back-end data or interim state data. Methods define what is to be performed. Some of the tasks defined by methods can include back-end subroutine calls. User interfaces and browser standards evolve. However, business rules are pervasive. The challenges you face include choosing the appropriate technology to meet your business objectives while ensuring your systems can support the latest available technologies to help maximize your development investment. By utilizing RBOs, your development team has the ability to access the underlying U2 data structures from multiple platforms. An initial implementation might focus on Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) technologies that access RBOs. Later, a new project may call for an XML interface. Existing RBOs, once developed, can be deployed unchanged using the many interfaces supported now and those to come in the future. RBOs provide flexibility on the front-end with the selected user application interface technology while maintaining a consistent set of business rules and model. If the business model requires modification, existing methods or properties can be easily altered in a central repository without having to disrupt the entire system. If the user application interface is redeployed using a different type, only the front end components need to be modified and the RBOs (back-end business model) remain untouched. This gives your business an extensible, easily maintained application.
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The RedBack Designer, available for U2 Web DE 4.4 and below, is a graphical tool which enables the definition of U2 objects. For example, applications developed with IBM SystemBuilder (SB) can also be integrated by using the SB+ specific class provided with the RedBack Designer. Allowing this direct access to existing data and proven business logic promotes the "develop once, deploy many" principle. An added benefit is that once a RedBack Object is defined, it can be referenced by any network application server technology supported by the U2 Web DE Server.
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The U2 Web DE Server is responsible for communications between RBOs and the supported interface such as XML/Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Java™ Native Interface (JNI), JavaServer Pages (JSP), ASP, ActiveData Objects (ADO) and Component Object Model (COM). By incorporating support for these interfaces, U2 Web DE will be ready to introduce future interface functionality without affecting existing RBOs so you can take advantage of new technologies as they become available.
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Webshares enable U2 Web DE applications to provide shared connections to the host and data server. Through configuration of responders and U2 Web DE Webshares, U2 Web DE implementations provide a service level from hundreds to millions of hits per day. - Minimum one (1) required
- Two (2) recommended for performance
- Total number of Webshares depends on application design
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Key to the robustness of U2 Web DE architecture is the scalability provided through the U2 Web DE Gateway component. This is comprised of a U2 Web DE Gateway client requester, residing on the Web server host (IBM WebSphere® Application Server, Apache or Microsoft IIS, for instance), and the Gateway server scheduler, residing on the U2 application server host (usually behind the firewall). The U2 Web DE Gateway client requester intercepts and services only those requests related to U2 Web DE. These requests are then handed off to the U2 Web DE Gateway server scheduler, which submits them to U2 back-end data server processes known as responders. These responders perform the functions required by the associated object method against the U2 data server and return results by setting object property values. Responders are not specific. Rather, they can be viewed as a pool of connections to the U2 data server, available to process any incoming U2 Web DE request. Through configuration of responders and U2 Web DE Webshares, a given U2 Web DE implementation can be customized to provide a service level from hundreds to millions of hits per day.
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The U2 Web Designer is an Eclipse-based tool which provides a feature-rich environment for creating and modifying Web pages that use RedBack Objects to access U2 data and business logic. The U2 Web Designer provides a graphical drag-and-drop paradigm for creating the Web pages, with little Web experience necessary. This is function previously provided in IBM RedBack Designer.
Allowing this direct access to existing data and proven business logic promotes the "develop once, deploy many" principle. An added benefit is that once a RedBack Object is defined, it can be referenced by any network application server technology supported by the U2 Web DE Server. As of Release 4.4, U2 Web Designer includes an integrated testing and debugging environment. This function was previously provided as part of the RBO Scope tool. U2 Web Designer can also automate conversion of existing SB+ input and output processes and screens for use on the Internet. This enables reuse of existing logic and support structures to Web-enable SB+ applications. Once converted, the tool provides facilities for enhancing these Web pages. |
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