Lotus E-mail and Standards-based Intranets

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Lotus E-mail and Standards-based Intranets

by Ron Herardian
©1997 Global System Service Corporation (GSS)

Contents

• Overview
• File Sharing and the OSI Model
• DARPA/Internet Architecture
• The Intranet Revolution and Client/Server Trends
• Open Standards and The New cc:Mail

OVERVIEW

Microcomputer network administrators, UNIX system administrators and systems integrators are increasingly aware of the contrasting network architectures present in environments that combine traditional UNIX/Internet and microcomputer LAN technologies. Microcomputer Network Operating Systems (NOSs), such as Novell NetWare, generally comply with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Open Systems Interconnect Reference Model (OSI model) of computer network architecture. On the other hand, Network File System (NFS), an Internet standards-based file sharing technology, and UNIX/Internet network applications in general are based on the somewhat different Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/Internet model of network architecture.

Although the OSI model is often used to describe Internet technology, the OSI model does not very precisely describe Internet technologies. In today's Internet-connected corporate data communications infrastructures these differing models of network architecture are merging. Today's IT infrastructures integrate both OSI model and DARPA/Internet network architectures.

FILE SHARING AND THE OSI MODEL

In the OSI model network applications are based on the principle of file sharing and the OSI model itself culminates in the Application Layer (layer 7) of the network (see Figure I) where application programs transparently access or share files solely using the facilities of their native operating systems (OSs). In other words, in the OSI model applications are not necessarily network aware insofar as no special code is necessary for an application to access data on the network.

The original versions of Lotus cc:Mail relied on OSI-model redirection and the cc:Mail LAN clients are actually file-oriented database applications rather than data communications applications. What is important, however, is that the 1997 cc:Mail product lineup, including the Internet-oriented Post Office Protocol (POP) and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), have departed sharply from the traditional (and somewhat dated) file sharing model.

Historically, microcomputer OSs, though highly extensible, have not been designed with built-in support for network protocols. Similarly, microcomputer applications do not normally use network protocols directly but rely instead on the transparent redirection of their native OS's system calls for file access. Microcomputer NOSs like Novell NetWare and Microsoft LAN Manager, for example, are based on the concept of file sharing and workstation OS redirection.

DARPA/INTERNET ARCHITECTURE

In the DARPA/Internet network model, where UNIX and related OSs and Open Systems standards grew up, file sharing (in the form of NFS) was literally an afterthought. Instead, network applications are written to interface directly with network protocols through network facilities built-in to the OS (sockets and streams in the UNIX environment or Winsock in the PC world). In other words, Internet-style applications are directly integrated with the networking technology, rather than layered on top of a network file access facility like the traditional cc:Mail LAN clients; Internet applications are 100% network aware.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), developed for the Internet network, is universally supported by all implementations of the UNI OS and is now built-in to every microcomputer operating system (Winsock for Windows and OS/2 and MacTCP on the Macintosh platform). The TCP/IP protocol suite is designed to allow software processes running on different machines to communicate with one another directly across a network (client/server), rather than through sharing commonly accessible files located on a central file server.

THE INTERNET REVOLUTION AND CLIENT/SERVER TRENDS

In stark contrast to most microcomputer-based NOSs, the DARPA/Internet network architecture is based entirely on open standards (Internet Requests for Comment or RFCs, drafts, and standards). Internet standards are created by a group of boards and committees engaged in the Internet standards process and they are not owned or controlled by any single vendor. This allows vendors to develop compatible, interoperable technologies based upon the same standards. In recent years corporate IT strategies have turned in the direction of open standards and virtually every vendor of proprietary technologies, including e-mail, have sought to add support of open standards to their products.

As the DARPA/Internet network architecture generally requires network applications to be based on a client/server model as opposed to a file sharing model of network computing. Client/server applications lend themselves to relatively centralized rather than distributed network applications. Among the benefits of a centralized computing architecture are centralized administration, control of computing resources, and simple economies of scale.

File server based cc:Mail represents a distributed, rather than a centralized system. However, the addition of broad-based Internet standards support to cc:Mail creates radical new possibilities for the cc:Mail technology. For example, 1000 users or more can be supported on a single post office (PO) simply by employing an appropriately scaled server, adequate network bandwidth and a bank of cc:Web or cc:Mail POP servers. For cc:Web, an ordinary browser becomes the interface or client for cc:Mail, while for POP, any e-mail client supporting this POP standard can be used.

OPENNESS AND THE NEW CC:MAIL

Although Lotus markets the cc:Mail product line to small and medium-sized businesses, the underlying Database Version 8 (DB8) architecture is capable of supporting very large systems with very few databases. The key is the transition from file server technology to Internet technology. The major benefit of this is to Lotus cc:Mail customers that have an existing cc:Mail messaging infrastructure. Without changing the underlying database and without migration any data an existing cc:Mail infrastructure can be consolidated and extended to support Internet standards so that it becomes the foundation of a true Intranet messaging solution.

Many IT managers might be skeptical of this claim but consider that any vendor’s implementation of an open standard, especially in a commercial product, involves many underlying components that are proprietary. In other words, ‘open’ simply means supporting open standards and proprietary means not supporting open standards. So, although Lotus cc:Mail has certainly been a proprietary system in the past, it’s new Intranet incarnation is genuinely open and no more proprietary than any other commercial software vendor’s entry into the messaging market.

The benefit of these developments on the part of Lotus are tremendous. Customers can leverage their existing software and training investments across the board while getting more life out of their file server infrastructures and at the same time making a smooth and easy transition to open Internet standards-based messaging.

About GSS

Global System Services Corporation (GSS) is the leading provider of consulting and professional services for large-scale and distributed infrastructure systems such as email and messaging, directory services, groupware, and wireless solutions. GSS customers include Fortune 500 companies, large services providers and telecom companies, government agencies, major messaging product vendors, and innovative technology startups.

GSS provides a complementary suite of services including strategic technology consultation and competitive vendor and product analysis, product and system architecture and design, system development deployment, customization, and testing, technical support, email migration, and other IT services. GSS has been directly responsible for some of the largest global systems and solutions and counts as customers many of the largest companies in the world.

From its offices in the Silicon Valley California, GSS delivers services and solutions to customers worldwide through a network of mobile consultants and qualified GSS Affiliates. With industry certified professionals on staff, GSS is a Qualified Lotus Business Partner, a Certified Microsoft Solution Provider (MCSP), a Principal Partner in the Sun Partner Advantage program and a member of the Sun Software Partner Council, as well as a member of key industry organizations.

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©1995-2005 by Global System Services Corporation (GSS). Portions of this material are copyright ©1995-1999 by Ron Herardian