All Topics  
Network transparency

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Network transparency
 
 
  Topics Network transparency Topic Home

Network Transparency in its most general sense refers to the ability of a protocol to transmit data over the network in a manner which is transparent (invisible) to those using the applications that are using the protocol.

The term is often applied in the context of the X Window System
X Window System

The X Window System is a computing software system and network protocol that provides a graphical user interface for networked computers. It implements the X Window System protocols and architecture and provides windowing system on raster graphics Visual display units and manages Keyboard and pointing device control functions....
 which is able to transmit graphical data over the network and integrate it seamlessly with applications running and displaying locally.

Databases
In a centralized database system, the only resource that needs to be shielded from the user is the data (that is, the storage system).






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Network transparency'
Start a new discussion about 'Network transparency'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Network Transparency in its most general sense refers to the ability of a protocol to transmit data over the network in a manner which is transparent (invisible) to those using the applications that are using the protocol.

The term is often applied in the context of the X Window System
X Window System

The X Window System is a computing software system and network protocol that provides a graphical user interface for networked computers. It implements the X Window System protocols and architecture and provides windowing system on raster graphics Visual display units and manages Keyboard and pointing device control functions....
 which is able to transmit graphical data over the network and integrate it seamlessly with applications running and displaying locally.

Databases


In a centralized database system, the only resource that needs to be shielded from the user is the data (that is, the storage system). In a distributed DBMS
Distributed database management system

A distributed database management system is a software system that permits the management of a distributed database and makes the distribution transparent to the users....
, a second resource needs to be managed in much the same manner: the network
Computer network

A computer network is a group of interconnected computers. Networks may be classified according to a wide variety of characteristics. This article provides a general overview of some types and categories and also presents the basic components of a network....
. Preferably, the user should be protected from the network operational details. Then there would be no difference between database applications that would run on the centralized database and those that would run on a distributed one. This kind of transparency is referred to as network transparency or distribution transparency. From a DBMS
Database management system

A database management system is computer software that manages databases. DBMSes may use any of a variety of database models, such as the network model or relational model....
 perspective, distribution transparency requires that users do not have to specify where data is located.

Some have separated distribution transparency into location transparency and naming transparency.

Location transparency in commands used to perform a task is independent both of the locations of the data, and the system on which an operation is carried out.

Naming transparency means that a unique name is provided for each object in the database.

See also

  • Data independence
    Data independence

    Data independence is the type of data transparency that matters for a centralized Database management system. It refers to the immunity of user application software to make changes in the definition and organization of data, and vice-versa....
  • Replication transparency