An architecture for the cooperation of heterogeneous operating systems

The DAC Network Operating System (DACNOS) was designed to support resource sharing in a world of interconnected heterogeneous computing systems. The prototype implementation demonstrates that it is feasible to add powerful and flexible means for distributed cooperation to an operating system without affecting its existing individual interfaces and applications. The authors describe the important design issues of DACNOS and their experiences with the implementation and performance of a prototype. Particular emphasis is put on the portability of the NOS software and on the design of the interface to the NOS kernel that provides the facilities for distributed cooperation. It is shown by an example how this set of facilities eases the implementation of distributed applications by taking most of the burden of distribution, access protection, resource management and data representation away from the programmer.<>