Designing and implementing computer workgroups

• Find out what it takes to design and implement an enterprise-wide architecture based on client/server workgroups.
• Reduce complexity and improve interoperability in today's multi-operating system environments.
• Concrete, realistic approach for evolving existing environments to use new technologies as they become available.

KEY TOPICS: Most computer workgroups have evolved in a largely uncontrolled fashion. It's no wonder they deliver less-than-optimal performance. In Designing and Implementing Computer Workgroups, leading Hewlett Packard consultant Robert Lucke shows how to take control of your workgroups, and evolve them to serve your needs more effectively. You'll learn proven design techniques for reducing complexity; improving interoperability amongst UNIX, Windows, and other platforms; and "gluing" workgroups together across a distributed enterprise. Based on extensive experience and disciplined systems engineering techniques proven in the real-world, Designing and Implementing Computer Work-groups will help you harness all the computing and networking power you're already paying for.

MARKET: For IT managers, network designers/administrators, architects, analysts, and developers of enterprise applications. A Hewlett-Packard Professional Book.
Table of contents

List of Figures

Preface

About the Author

Acknowledgments

How to Use This Book

Chapter 1: At the Beginning: Client-Server Design Concepts

Chapter 2: Object-Oriented Principles: Learning from Software Development

Chapter 3: Attacking Complexity: Class-Based System Administration

Chapter 4: Divide and Conquer: Justifying a Workgroup Model

Chapter 5: Primary Structure: Introducing the Three-Tier Client-Server Workgroup

Chapter 6: Windows onto the Workgroup: The Workgroup Client System

Chapter 7: Stable Storage: The Workgroup File Server

Chapter 8: Getting the Jobs Done: The Workgroup Compute Server

Chapter 9: Network Infrastructure: The Workgroup Foundation

Chapter 10: Hardware Architecture: Determining Resource Distribution

Chapter 11 Operating Environment: Management, Measurement, and Methods

Chapter 12: Data Sharing: Local Access and Global Visibility

Chapter 13: The Application Environment: Enabling the User

Chapter 14: Enterprise Access: Gluing Workgroups Together

Chapter 15: Interoperability: Cooperation Within the Workgroup

Chapter 16: Case Study: Workgroup Design for Power Users-AORTA

Chapter 17: Case Study: Design, Redesign, and Evolution-The RAPTOR Project

Chapter 18: Afterword: What Is Next in Workgroup Architecture?

Appendix A: A Simple Model for Managing Change in Your Environment

Appendix B: Network Data Flow Analysis for NFS Workgroups

Appendix C: Workgroup Environmental-Assessment Methodology

Appendix D: Workgroup Design Icons

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Bibliography

Index