By Peter Rysavy
Wide-Area Wireless Computing
Wireless Middleware
Wireless middleware is software that insulates applications from the underlying wireless network, making it easier to develop new wireless applications, as well as to port existing applications to the wireless environment.
How it Works
Wireless middleware usually consists of client and server software. The client portion resides on the mobile computer and accepts messages from applications on the mobile computer. It reformats these messages and forwards them across the wireless network using application-layer protocols optimized for wireless communications. The messages reach the middleware server, which typically resides on the destination LAN. The middleware server functions as a gateway to other servers and hosts on the LAN, acting as a proxy for the mobile computer.
Middleware performs the following types o
f functions, though specific details will vary depending on the actual middleware.
- Isolates the application from connectivity issues such as intermittent connections and varying throughput.
- Minimizes the amount of data sent over the wireless connection.
- Reduces the number of back-and-forth messages required to complete a transaction.
- Queues messages when a connection is not available.
- Provides a consistent API regardless of the underlying network.
Some wireless middleware products come as toolkits with which you can develop customized wireless applications. Others work in conjunction with existing applications to make these applications effective both from a cost and performance perspective.
Some Middleware Solutions
There are a number of wireless middleware providers. The following lists some of the more important market offerings.
| COMPANY AND PRODUCT
| MIDDLEWARE FUNCTION
|
|---|
| IBM
- Artour (www.ibm.com)
| Optimizes wireless access of Web servers.
|
| >Motorola
- AirMobile (www.motorola.com)
| Optimizes wireless access of Lotus Notes and cc:Mail.
|
| NetTech Systems
- Talk/Thru RF series (www.nettechrf.com)
| Toolkits for developing wireless applications.
|
| Oracle
- Oracle Mobile Agents (www.oracle.com)
| Toolkits for developing wireless applications. For more information, see
Message Middleware in a Wireless Environment (by Peter Rysavy, Network Computing, April 15 1996)
|
| Racotek
- Keyware (www.racotek.com)
| Toolkits for developing wireless applications.
|
| Software Corporation of America
- TalkThru (sca.
talkthru.com)
| Optimizes wireless host-terminal computing.
|
| Sybase
- Enterprise Messaging Services (EMS) (www.sybase.com)
| Toolkits for developing wireless applications.
|
| Unwired Planet
- HDML and HDTP (www.uplanet.com)
| Optimizes wireless access of Web servers. Web server can also host a complete mobile application.
|
| Xcellenet
- RemoteWare (www.xcellenet.com)
| Toolkits for developing wireless applications.
|
Introduction
Planning
Protocols and Interfaces
Hardware
Wireless Middleware
Profile of Wireless Networks
Integration
Updated September 30, 1997
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