Cronus: a distributed computing environment

Summary form only given. Cronus was developed to make the integration of large distributed applications, such as command and control systems, feasible to build, maintain, and operate. It has the ability to operate in heterogeneous environments that include different network architectures, host types, operating systems, and programming languages. Its portability and interoperability make it possible to incorporate existing systems and software at low cost, and to exploit the unique capabilities of each system (e.g. sophisticated user interfaces, multiprocessors, and database systems). The support it provides for building distributed applications includes a unifying framework for defining a global, coherent view of the heterogeneous environment. Cronus also provides a range of mechanisms to support applications that evolve, scale, and are capable of surviving component failures. Cronus is in use in 10 testbeds on over 100 hosts. Applications work has included the integration of databases, knowledge bases, and expert systems. The author addresses the capabilities of Cronus, some of its existing applications, and plans for future development