Definition
The Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) is a communication protocol used to enable communication between different Object Request Brokers (ORBs) in the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) framework. In simple terms, IIOP allows diverse software applications, often running on different platforms, to communicate with each other using a standardized format. It operates at the application layer of the OSI model and enables the exchange of data and remote procedure calls between ORBs in a platform-independent manner.
Phonetic
The phonetic pronunciation of “Internet Inter-ORB Protocol” is:- Internet: /ˈɪntÉ™rËŒnÉ›t/- Inter: /ˈɪntÉ™r/- ORB: /É”rb/- Protocol: /ˈproÊŠtəˌkÉ’l, -ËŒkÉ™l, -ËŒkoÊŠl/Putting it together, it would be: /ˈɪntÉ™rËŒnÉ›t ˈɪntÉ™r-É”rb ˈproÊŠtəˌkÉ’l/
Key Takeaways
- Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) is a key component of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), which enables communication between different programming languages and platforms.
- IIOP facilitates seamless, efficient, and transparent communication between objects on different computers, regardless of their programming language and operating system, promoting interoperability.
- Since IIOP is an essential part of the CORBA framework, it primarily focuses on standardizing communication and object interaction across distributed systems, ensuring reliable data exchange within complex applications.
Importance
The Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) is important as it plays a crucial role in facilitating communication between objects in a distributed computing environment.
It is the key protocol in the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), which enables software components written in different programming languages and running on different platforms to seamlessly interact with each other.
By standardizing object-oriented communication over the internet, IIOP promotes interoperability, flexibility, and efficient resource sharing among heterogeneous systems.
Consequently, it helps developers build distributed applications more efficiently, reduces development costs, and paves the way for more scalable and accessible systems.
Explanation
The Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) is an innovative system that serves as the backbone for enabling seamless communication between different object request brokers (ORBs); these ORBs are responsible for managing communication between various objects in distributed computing environments. IIOP is a fundamental component of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), which was developed to facilitate interoperability between software objects, irrespective of the platforms, programming languages, or hardware components they are hosted on.
In essence, IIOP is the driving force that allows businesses, developers, and organizations to harness the benefits of systems that employ numerous, interoperable components. The purpose of IIOP helps various software objects interact with one another by transmitting requests and responses using standardized protocols, even if they were developed with different technologies.
As a result, this allows organizations to create, maintain, and scale their systems without being confined to a particular programming language or architecture. Furthermore, IIOP facilitates the integration of heterogeneous systems and software, reducing costs associated with redeveloping or re-engineering existing applications.
By streamlining the interaction of different software objects and emphasizing compatibility, IIOP has become a vital tool in modern software development, fostering growth and innovation in distributed systems.
Examples of Internet Inter-ORB Protocol
The Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) is a communication protocol that enables communication between different Object Request Brokers (ORBs) in a distributed computing environment. IIOP is a component of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) standard, which is widely used for communication between different software systems. Here are three real-world examples of IIOP technology:
Enterprise Application Integration (EAI): In large enterprises with varied and complex Information Technology (IT) systems, integrating different software applications is a critical aspect. IIOP is used in EAI projects to provide seamless communication between different ORBs operating on different platforms and languages. As a result, it enables data sharing and process integration across diverse systems.
Telecommunications Industry: The telecommunications industry relies on robust and efficient distributed systems for billing, network management, and customer service. By using IIOP in conjunction with CORBA-based applications, these companies have been able to develop highly reliable, scalable, and efficient systems, facilitating better communication and interaction between various components of their infrastructure.
Health Care Systems: In order to provide high-quality care, hospitals and healthcare organizations utilize advanced IT systems for Electronic Health Records (EHR), patient management, and collaboration between medical teams. IIOP enables these systems to interact seamlessly and securely, ensuring patient data and medical information is correctly exchanged and utilized across multiple platforms and systems.
Internet Inter-ORB Protocol FAQ
1. What is Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP)?
Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) is a communication protocol used for distributed systems. It enables communication between different Object Request Brokers (ORBs) over the internet, allowing seamless integration of diverse applications across multiple platforms and programming languages.
2. How does IIOP work?
IIOP works by establishing communication channels between ORBs over the internet or other TCP/IP-based networks. ORBs use IIOP to exchange messages in the form of Interoperable Object References (IORs) and enable remote method invocation (RMI) between objects residing in different address spaces, offering a transparent communication mechanism.
3. What is the relationship between IIOP and CORBA?
IIOP is an integral part of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), a standard defined by the Object Management Group (OMG) for creating distributed object systems. IIOP acts as a transport layer for CORBA, enabling interoperability and communication between ORBs in a CORBA-based system.
4. What are the benefits of using IIOP?
Using IIOP offers several advantages, such as platform and language independence, seamless integration of heterogeneous systems, improved scalability, and reduced complexity of distributed applications. Additionally, IIOP leverages the widely-adopted TCP/IP protocol, making it easily implementable on many networks and platforms.
5. Are there limitations to using IIOP?
While IIOP is widely used and offers many benefits, it has some limitations. For instance, it may not provide optimal performance for all applications, and in some cases, alternative protocols or communication mechanisms may be more suitable. Furthermore, adopting IIOP requires adherence to the CORBA standard, which may be a limiting factor for some systems.
Related Technology Terms
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)
- Object Request Broker (ORB)
- Interface Definition Language (IDL)
- Middleware
