Concepts of the NIST EXPRESS server

The NIST EXPRESS server is a computational facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which provides the ability to run toolkit-based applications remotely. Users e-mail EXPRESS schemas and other data files to the server, which runs the requested applications on the files and returns any diagnostics or output. Applications requiring interaction can either be returned via e-mail so that they can be run locally, or run remotely by telnet or rlogin across the Internet. Access to the EXPRESS server is available free to anyone who can send e-mail. Use is anonymous by default, however it is possible to use the server as a collaborative testbed in which case results can be immediately shared with other server users. The server is capable of restricting file access to one user or a subset of users. It is also possible to make files publicly available. The server maintains many STEP-related standards and draft standards for public access. Machine-processable standards such as STEP schemas can be incorporated automatically when processing user files even if they are not publicly available. The server dramatically lowers the traditional start-up cost and manpower required to obtain and install STEP and EXPRESS tools as well as the continuing support costs to upgrade and maintain the software, by leveraging NIST research, software support and installation, and computing facilities. The server enables people to experiment or demonstrate STEP without a significant investment of time and money, allowing them to build experience and make informed decisions about their future needs for STEP