Abstract
This chapter aims at proposing an approach to implement a distributed Information System built on top of a federation of existing (reused) software components. This solution is taking as a core consideration the problem of interoperability of data exchanged between enterprises. The idea is to adapt and reuse experiences coming from the development of enterprises legacy Information Systems in order to create a HLA (High Level Architecture) based system of systems. In that perspective, this chapter proposes a new bi-directional development life cycle. MDA (Model Driven Architecture) and HLA FEDEP (Federation Development and Execution Process) are combined and harmonized to implement distributed Information Systems from enterprise models of existing system. Conversely, model reverse engineering techniques are used to help re-implement existing systems, in order to be interoperable without being fully reconstructed. Then, according to HLA 1516 evolved new features, this chapter proposes a solution based on an open source RTI, poRTIco, to implement Web enabled federates.
TopBackground
The enterprise interoperability framework has identified three barriers for enterprise interoperability, conceptual barrier, technological barrier, organizational barrier (Ullberg et al., 2007). Those barriers are problems that basically prevent interoperability. We propose a synthetic development life cycle to facilitate the development of the dynamic, secure and synchronized interoperable HLA based platform for enterprises with heterogeneous legacy IT system. The three crosses in Figure 1 represent three barriers in enterprise interoperability framework. For example, as a conceptual barrier: different IT systems use different terms to describe a “car”. As a technological barrier example: different IT systems use different data format for message transmission. Finally as an organizational barrier case: diverse organization structures can exist in different enterprises.
Key Terms in this Chapter
WebServiceFederate: It is a special federate which is designed to connect traditional HLA federation with evolved federate outside VPN or LAN. The design of this federate is complied with HLA evolved IEEE 1516TM-2010.
Federated Approach: There is no common format at all. To establish interoperability, parties must accommodate and adjust ‘on the fly’.
Harmonization of HLA & MDA: This harmonization aims to adopt the strong points from both HLA FEDEP and MDA. It proposes some proper key phases for reusing existing software to achieve a rapid redevelopment HLA system of systems.
Enterprise Interoperability: Ability of interaction between enterprises. The enterprise interoperability is achieved if the interaction can, at least, take place at the three levels: data, application and business process.
Framework for Enterprise Interoperability: This framework gives a clear and full range view of enterprise interoperability. It considers enterprise interoperability needs to be evaluated and solved from three aspects of view, “concern”, “barrier” and “approach”.
HLA Evolved Web Services: In order to benefit from the Web Services such as, the support for numerous newer and older languages and operating systems as well as the ease of deployment across wide area networks, HLA evolved IEEE 1516TM-2010 was publish in August, 2010.
Model Reverse Engineering: The process tracks the models by backwards to discover models from existing IT systems. It follows a converse process of MDA.