RMI-IIOP
Encyclopedia
RMI-IIOP denotes the Java Remote Method Invocation
(RMI) interface over the Internet Inter-Orb Protocol (IIOP), which delivers Common Object Request Broker Architecture
(CORBA) distributed computing capabilities to the Java 2 platform. It is based on two specifications: the Java Language Mapping to OMG IDL, and CORBA/IIOP 2.3.1.
With features inherited from CORBA, software components that work together can be written in multiple computer languages and run on multiple computers. In other words, it supports multiple platforms and can make remote procedure calls to execute, say, a subroutine on another computer as defined by RMI.
and IBM
, combining features of Java RMI technology with features of CORBA technology.
RMI-IIOP is largely based on the Object by Value concept that serves as a container or direct replacement for CORBA structures, unions, sequences, arrays and strings. No separate IDL
is necessary. Instead, the data structure definitions are "supposed" automatically, collecting the necessary data via reflection mechanisms.
Both CORBA and RMI-IIOP uses the same General Inter-ORB Protocol communication standard. If required, it is possible to generate the IDL
definitions for the involved RMI-IIOP data structures and use these definitions to arrange the interoperability between the RMI-IIOP and plain CORBA applications.
The recent versions of RMI-IIOP derive their servants from the standard
Java remote method invocation
The Java Remote Method Invocation Application Programming Interface , or Java RMI, is a Java application programming interface that performs the object-oriented equivalent of remote procedure calls ....
(RMI) interface over the Internet Inter-Orb Protocol (IIOP), which delivers Common Object Request Broker Architecture
Common Object Request Broker Architecture
The Common Object Request Broker Architecture is a standard defined by the Object Management Group that enables software components written in multiple computer languages and running on multiple computers to work together .- Overview:CORBA enables separate pieces of software written in different...
(CORBA) distributed computing capabilities to the Java 2 platform. It is based on two specifications: the Java Language Mapping to OMG IDL, and CORBA/IIOP 2.3.1.
With features inherited from CORBA, software components that work together can be written in multiple computer languages and run on multiple computers. In other words, it supports multiple platforms and can make remote procedure calls to execute, say, a subroutine on another computer as defined by RMI.
History
The Java RMI-IIOP specification was created to simplify the development of CORBA applications, while preserving all major benefits. It was developed by Sun MicrosystemsSun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
and IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, combining features of Java RMI technology with features of CORBA technology.
Specification
RMI-IIOP only uses the generated code for remote objects and does not require supplementary classes for non-trivial data, as this is the case with CORBA. This results in less code and a smaller footprint.RMI-IIOP is largely based on the Object by Value concept that serves as a container or direct replacement for CORBA structures, unions, sequences, arrays and strings. No separate IDL
Interface description language
An interface description language , or IDL for short, is a specification language used to describe a software component's interface...
is necessary. Instead, the data structure definitions are "supposed" automatically, collecting the necessary data via reflection mechanisms.
Both CORBA and RMI-IIOP uses the same General Inter-ORB Protocol communication standard. If required, it is possible to generate the IDL
Interface description language
An interface description language , or IDL for short, is a specification language used to describe a software component's interface...
definitions for the involved RMI-IIOP data structures and use these definitions to arrange the interoperability between the RMI-IIOP and plain CORBA applications.
The recent versions of RMI-IIOP derive their servants from the standard
ServantServant (CORBA)In CORBA, a Servant is the invocation target, containing methods for handling the remote method invocations. In the newer CORBA versions, the remote object on the server side is split into the Object and Servant...
class. Hence, it is possible to connect them to the CORBA ORB manually, involving, if necessary, the Portable Object Adapter, Portable Interceptors, CORBA naming service, and all other standard CORBA features.