Intelligent gateways for unified computing environments

The use of gateways to integrate heterogeneous networks is investigated. The goal is to extend the unified environments across network boundaries transparently so that services provided by one environment are available to other networks. This approach is most effective if the connected networks have incompatible environments which provide similar services. Intelligent gateways have the advantages of low cost, modularity, resource sharing across the networks and minimal modification to the existing systems. The basic concept of an intelligent gateway is introduced. A case study in which an intelligent gateway supports a network file system between a SUN network and a PC network is presented to demonstrate the basic ideas.<
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