Thread

AW System Architecture (Sdk)

AW System Architecture // Sdk

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jim fleming

Feb 5, 1999, 8:59am
It seems to me that more emphasis needs to
be placed on making sure the AW Architecture
is clearly documented. Once one does this then
the SDK fits in as a component. At the moment,
it appears as though we are working this problem
backwards. In other words, the SDK is being
documented and eventually people are going to
discover the architecture that was there from the
start.

If I was an IETF advocate, I would suggest that the
AW Architecture be described in terms of the
"wire protocols" between the various systems.
While this has short-term benefits and allows people
on different types of computers to develop software
it often hides the true system architecture by providing
the wrong view of the system. This is like trying to
describe a maze as a series of right and left turns
vs. a birds-eye-view of north-south room orientations.

Taking the birds-eye-view of the AW Architecture
I think we can see 4 major architectural components.
These may or may not reside on the same computer
(or server). The 4 components are:

1. The AW Server or object repository
2. The AW Client - typically called the Browser
3. The AW Authentication System
4. The world of RO mass storage (i.e. web storage for art)

The SDK provides "client" access to the AW
Platform which is made up of the 4 architectural
components above. The SDK is the one place where
we can begin to develop a "view" of the AW Architecture.
Since the SDK is designed to run on client computers
where a browser typically runs, our natural inclination
is to assume that the SDK is for developing bots. As
people have recognized, this is only one minor usage.

As the SDK proceeds, it might be useful to identify
other pieces in the AW System Architecture that are
missing or not highlighted. Obvious extensions are:

5. Local file storage on the client system
6. Other processes on the client system (e.g. spreadsheets)
7. An SQL database server
8. Other servers and services on the network

If anyone is interested in helping to document the overall
AW Architecture beyond the SDK let me know. In my
opinion, this would help new SDK developers more
quickly understand the potential of what the SDL can be
used for and will promote other developments that are
not really properly labeled "bots".

Jim Fleming
UNIR, COM and UNETY worlds in AW

edward sumerfield

Feb 5, 1999, 11:50am
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I took a high level crack at it on my page.
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <A HREF="http://members.xoom.com/esumerfd/ActiveWorlds/Frames.htm">http://members.xoom.com/esumerfd/ActiveWorlds/Frames.htm</A>
<p>Its more of a network arch that a system arch.
<p>Edward Sumerfield
[View Quote]

jim fleming

Feb 5, 1999, 12:11pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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This is a great compilation of information. One of the
things I plan to use the UNIR world for is as a 3D notebook
(ala Ted Nelson XANADU) for helping to preserve the
system architecture and essential knowledge for new
people getting started in programming and world design.

A quick scan of your web pages raised some more
points...

1. Isn't the UniServer just a vanilla Kerberos machine ?

2. Embedding IP addresses into the protocol makes it
very difficult to interwork from behind firewalls. Are there
any plans to fix that ?....or should custom firewall code
be developed as a work-around ?

Jim Fleming
UNIR, COM and UNETY worlds in AW

[View Quote]


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<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>This is a great compilation of =
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of the</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT><FONT size=3D2>things I plan =
to use the=20
UNIR world for is as a 3D notebook</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>(ala Ted Nelson XANADU) for helping to preserve=20
the</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>system architecture and essential knowledge for=20
new</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>people getting started in programming and world=20
design.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>A quick scan of your web pages raised some =
more</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>points...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>1. Isn't the UniServer just a vanilla Kerberos =
machine=20
?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>2. Embedding IP addresses into the protocol makes=20
it</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>very difficult to interwork from behind firewalls. =
Are=20
there</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>any plans to fix that ?....or should custom firewall =

code</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>be developed as a work-around ?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Jim Fleming</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>UNIR, COM and UNETY worlds in AW</FONT></DIV>
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om</A>&gt;...</DIV>I=20
took a high level crack at it on my page.=20
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <A=20
=
href=3D"http://members.xoom.com/esumerfd/ActiveWorlds/Frames.htm">http://=
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decastro@cable.a2000.nl (xelag)

Feb 5, 1999, 1:53pm
A most instructive page, thanks Edward.

XelaG.

http://members.xoom.com/esumerfd/ActiveWorlds/Frames.htm

--
Xelagot 46ADB [Delph]
creator: XelaG
email: decastro at cable.a2000.nl

edward sumerfield

Feb 6, 1999, 2:20pm
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I guess I don't understand what a "vanilla Kerberos" machine is. Kerberos
being a security protocol I am assuming that a machine of this sort would do
some login validation as the Universe server does but with the format of the
message looking distinctly AW proprietary I would think that it is a home
grown piece of code. It also supplies features like "get-name-using-citnum"
and "get-list-of-worlds" which are not standard security features.

As for the embedded IP and port, I agree to a point. All connections are made
outbound from the browser which are usually not restricted by firewalls. It is
inbound connections through firewalls that are a major no-no in the security
world. Though there are high security environments where even outbound
connections are disallowed and proxies are installed to allow secure data
passage in a controlled way for the more common interactions like web, ftp and
mail.

Suffice it to say, I work behind a firewall that allows outbound connections
and AW browser works fine.

I also use a program called ICQ that requires inbound connections and that is
unusable behind any firewall environment unless you get get permission to add
an inbound port override to the firewall just for that application. I have
worked in large corporations that are far too paranoid for a feature with no
cost benefit like chat.

Anyway, my point in bringing ICQ up was to mention that it implements the
SOCKS firewall protocol to get around this in some situations. I do not know
much about it except that it doesn't work were I am.

Edward Sumerfield, ICQ# 28021232

[View Quote] > This is a great compilation of information. One of thethings I plan to use
> the UNIR world for is as a 3D notebook(ala Ted Nelson XANADU) for helping to
> preserve thesystem architecture and essential knowledge for newpeople
> getting started in programming and world design. A quick scan of your web
> pages raised some morepoints... 1. Isn't the UniServer just a vanilla
> Kerberos machine ?
> 2. Embedding IP addresses into the protocol makes itvery difficult to
> interwork from behind firewalls. Are thereany plans to fix that ?....or
> should custom firewall codebe developed as a work-around ? Jim FlemingUNIR,
> COM and UNETY worlds in AW
>
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I guess I don't understand what a "vanilla Kerberos" machine is. Kerberos
being a security protocol I am assuming that a machine of this sort would
do some login validation as the Universe server does but with the format
of the message looking distinctly AW proprietary I would think that it
is a home grown piece of code. It also supplies features like "get-name-using-citnum"
and "get-list-of-worlds" which are not standard security features.
<p>As for the embedded IP and port, I agree to a point. All connections
are made outbound from the browser which are usually not restricted by
firewalls. It is inbound connections through firewalls that are a major
no-no in the security world. Though there are high security environments
where even outbound connections are disallowed and proxies are installed
to allow secure data passage in a controlled way for the more common interactions
like web, ftp and mail.
<p>Suffice it to say, I work behind a firewall that allows outbound connections
and AW browser works fine.
<p>I also use a program called ICQ that requires inbound connections and
that is unusable behind any firewall environment unless you get get permission
to add an inbound port override to the firewall just for that application.
I have worked in large corporations that are far too paranoid for a feature
with no cost benefit like chat.
<p>Anyway, my point in bringing ICQ up was to mention that it implements
the SOCKS firewall protocol to get around this in some situations. I do
not know much about it except that it doesn't work were I am.
<p>Edward Sumerfield, ICQ# 28021232
[View Quote] </body>
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