PERFORMANCE. 1. Performance Tuning: Theory and Practice. There are many issues involved in performance tuning, including the need to balance the potentially conflicting requirements of system administrators and application developers. This chapter describes some of the more important performance monitoring tools available in AIX and discusses how these tools can be used when tuning system performance. 2. Tuning an Application. Application developers should always strive to design and develop efficient programs. Unfortunately, programmers frequently attempt to optimize overall system performance at the end of a development project. This chapter discusses various approaches for C and FORTRAN applications that can be applied at the planning stage of program development and used throughout a project. NETWORKING. 3. Networking with X.25 in the AIX Environment. The subject of this chapter is a technical overview of the X.25 networking standard and its use with the AIX operating system. A summary of experiences with X.25 on the RISC System/6000, planning tips, and sources of additional information about AIX and X.25 are also included. 4. TCP/IP and AIX Internet Facilities. The AIX operating system provides Internet support using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). AIX Internet facilities enable information transfer among such systems as PS/2s, RISC System/6000s, and System 370s/390s that are connected to different local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs). For example, using AIX/Internet commands, a local network user can log on to a remote system on a different network and transfer files between these systems. Also, users can execute programs on a remote system from their lo cal system or send electronic mail to the remote system. DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING. 5. The Distributed Computing Environment: An Introduction and Technical Overview. The Open Software Foundation's (OSF's) Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) is the subject of this chapter. DCE technology enables interoperability of heterogenous computer systems from multiple vendors, providing the power of all computers in the network environment to end users without sacrificing the specialization of the individual computer systems. A general overview of DCE and related concepts is presented, followed by a more detailed technical discussion. 6. A Comparison of DCE DFS and AFS. This chapter discusses some of the differences between the Distributed File Service (DFS) from the Open Software Foundation and the Andrew File System (AFS) from Transarc Corporation. These differences are presented from both a userA A*s and an administrator's perspective. The chapter also notes some differences between DFS and AFS internals. DATA STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT. 7. Relational Databases: An AIX Client/Server Approach to OLTP. Several performance issues in Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) applications using relational databases are discussed in this chapter. The advantages and disadvantages of using a client/server configuration to boost performance while reducing over all costs are outlined. The data shown in this chapter were gathered from benchmarks run on UNIX-based systems using relational databases such as Oracle, Informix, Ingres, and Sybase. 8. DB2/6000: A Client/Server RDBMS for UNIX World. This chapter provides a detailed description of DATABASE 2 AIX/6000 Version 1 (DB2/6000), IBMA A*s advanced UNIX client/server relational database product. The chapter discusses the architecture of DB2/6000, explains how it works in a client/server environment, and outlines future trends and directions. 9. RAID Storage: What Is It and What Can It Do? The development of Redundant Arrays of Independent Disk (RAID) storage technology, the various levels inherent in RAID storage, and the pros and cons for each level are all covered in this chapter. In addition, information is provided on specific RAID approaches that can be important factors in determining appropriate storage management solutions in AIX- and RISC System/6000-based environments. 10. Batch Scheduling for Commercial UNIX Applications. This chapter examines UNIX from an operations or systems management perspective, focusing on batch job management in commercial environments. This unit was written by an executive with Unison Software. Unison has considerable experience working with commercial systems managers in proprietary, no n-UNIX environments to address the problem of managing thousands of batch jobs per month. This chapter reviews the prospects for similar requirements in commercial UNIX environments and discusses the application of UNIX tools to batch scheduling. FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND TECHNOLOGY. 11. An Overview of IBM's Microkernel Technology. IBM's microkernel technology is presented in this chapter, along with an examination of its architecture and associated programming abstractions. The advantage of microkernel technology over the traditional operating system kernel is presented, along with an explanation of how the microkernel can be used as a foundation for the development of a highly modular, easily portable, and secure operating system that can support multi-processors and multiple operating system personalities. 12. A POWERful Future: The PowerOpen Environment. This chapter is the first of two that explore the future of the PowerOpen Environment and PowerPC Architecture. This unit describes the development of the PowerOpen Environment by an alliance of major computer vendors and the establishment of the PowerOpen Association, Inc. The PowerOpen Environment is designed to provide a standards-driven, open environment for users. The PowerOpen Association is chartered to support advancement of that environment. The following chapter discusses the background, development, and future potential of the PowerPC Architecture. 13. A POWERful Future: The PowerPC Architecture. This chapter describes the history and development of the PowePC Architecture, provides a significant level of detail on the technical design considerations of PowerPC, and outlines - in broad terms - directions the architecture will take in the future. 14. The Art of Intelligence: Technologies With a Human Touch. An introduction to a new human-centered approach to personal computing is presented in this chapter. Human-centered refers to technology centered around the natural senses and responses of sight, sound, and touch. The goal is to show the potential impact that human-centered approaches are likely to have, not just on the computer industry, but on all users of information technology.
