Large-Scale ASP Replication of Database-Driven Portals

Abstract

This article explains issues surrounding the replication of a single full-scale database-driven portal application. In addition to the issues of replicating a single, unsophisticated application, it also anticipates a future in which portal applications offer multiple levels of service to users, and large application service providers (ASPs) host and replicate many portal applications on networks of servers. An ASP must replicate complex portal applications in order to satisfy user demand while minimizing operating costs. ASPs will need mature tools for making replication decisions and deploying and otherwise managing their replication system. To that end, this article highlights two prototype software packages, ACDN and DATE/DASIM, that address some aspects of replica management by ASPs. Using the two prototypes as a starting point and recalling single portal replication issues, a set of features for a mature ASP replication management systems are proposed.