DCOM -- the Distributed Component Object Model -- is a recent upgrade of a time-honored and well-tested technology promoted by Microsoft for distributed object programming. Now that components are playing a larger and larger part in Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000, every Windows programmer will want to understand the technology. DCOM competes with CORBA as a rich and robust method for creating expandable and flexible components, allowing you to plug in new parts conveniently and upgrade without the need for code changes to every program that uses your component. This book introduces C++ programmers to DCOM and gives them the basic tools they need to write secure, maintainable programs. While using Visual C++ development tools and wizards where appropriate, the author never leaves the results up to magic. The C++ code used to create distributed components and the communications exchanged between systems and objects are described at a level where the reader understands their significance and can use the insights for such tasks as debugging and improving performance. The first few chapters explain both the remote procedure calls that underlie DCOM's communication and the way DCOM uses C++ classes. Readers become firmly grounded in the relation between components, classes, and objects, the ways objects are created and destroyed, how clients find servers, and the basics of security and threading. After giving you a grounding in how DCOM works, this book introduces you to the Microsoft tools that make it all easy. By showing what really happens each time you choose a button in a wizard, Learning DCOM makes it possible for you to choose what you need. This book is for anyone who wants to understand DCOM. While thoroughly practical in its goals, it doesn't stint on the background you need to make your programs safe, efficient, and easy to maintain. Topics include: MIDL (Microsoft Interface Definition Language, the language for defining COM interfaces) COM error and exception handling Custom, dispatch, and dual interfaces Standard and custom factories Management of in-process versus out-of-process servers Distributed memory management Pragmatic explanation of the DCOM wire protocol Standard, custom, handler, and automation marshaling Multithreading and apartments Security at the system configuration and programming level Active Template Library (ATL), ATL wizards -- and what they don't do Writing a component that can be invoked from Visual Basic Techniques for using distributed components Creating an ActiveX control and embedding it in a Web client Authentication and the use of Windows NT security features Techniques for merging marshaling code Connection and distributed events management An introduction to COM+ features

DCOM -- the Distributed Component Object Model -- is a recent upgrade of a time-honored and well-tested technology promoted by Microsoft for distributed object programming. Now that components are playing a larger and larger part in Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000, every Windows programmer will want to understand the technology. DCOM competes with CORBA as a rich and robust method for creating expandable and flexible components, allowing you to plug in new parts conveniently and upgrade without the need for code changes to every program that uses your component.This book introduces C++ programmers to DCOM and gives them the basic tools they need to write secure, maintainable programs. While using Visual C++ development tools and wizards where appropriate, the author never leaves the results up to magic. The C++ code used to create distributed components and the communications exchanged between systems and objects are described at a level where the reader understands their significance and can use the insights for such tasks as debugging and improving performance.The first few chapters explain both the remote procedure calls that underlie DCOM's communication and the way DCOM uses C++ classes. Readers become firmly grounded in the relation between components, classes, and objects, the ways objects are created and destroyed, how clients find servers, and the basics of security and threading.After giving you a grounding in how DCOM works, this book introduces you to the Microsoft tools that make it all easy. By showing what really happens each time you choose a button in a wizard, Learning DCOM makes it possible for you to choose what you need.This book is for anyone who wants to understand DCOM. While thoroughly practical in its goals, it doesn't stint on the background you need to make your programs safe, efficient, and easy to maintain.Topics include: MIDL (Microsoft Interface Definition Language, the language for defining COM interfaces) COM error and exception handling Custom, dispatch, and dual interfaces Standard and custom factories Management of in-process versus out-of-process servers Distributed memory management Pragmatic explanation of the DCOM wire protocol Standard, custom, handler, and automation marshaling Multithreading and apartments Security at the system configuration and programming level Active Template Library (ATL), ATL wizards -- and what they don't do Writing a component that can be invoked from Visual Basic Techniques for using distributed components Creating an ActiveX control and embedding it in a Web client Authentication and the use of Windows NT security features Techniques for merging marshaling code Connection and distributed events management An introduction to COM+ features

This practical, easy-to-understand guide to using Microsoft's COM+ offers end-to-end lifecycle coverage, from application planning through delivery. The authors give extensive examples and sample applications, demonstrating how to brainstorm, organize, implement, and test sophisticated COM+-based distribution applications. The CBT Systems training module is featured on the CD-ROM.

DCOM Explained describes what services DCOM provides, both development and runtime. Thus the aim of the book is not to teach how to program using DCOM, but to explain what DCOM does so readers will become better able to use it more effectively, understand the options available when using DCOM, and understand the types of applications that can be built by using DCOM. This book describes: what each of the services mean, including load balancing, security, guaranteed delivery, deferred delivery, broadcasting and multi-casting, and session handling what the service aims to do, such as saving time and effort or providing a secure, resilient, reliable, high performance network how the service could be provided, and what other solutions exist for achieving the same end how Microsoft has tackled the problem Provides a complete, easy to understand, and compact picture of all the services of DCOM Written from a designer or manager's point of view Compares DCOM with other middleware

How to solve security issues and problems arising in distributed systems. Security is one of the leading concerns in developing dependable distributed systems of today, since the integration of different components in a distributed manner creates new security problems and issues. Service oriented architectures, the Web, grid computing and virtualization – form the backbone of today’s distributed systems. A lens to security issues in distributed systems is best provided via deeper exploration of security concerns and solutions in these technologies. Distributed Systems Security provides a holistic insight into current security issues, processes, and solutions, and maps out future directions in the context of today’s distributed systems. This insight is elucidated by modeling of modern day distributed systems using a four-tier logical model –host layer, infrastructure layer, application layer, and service layer (bottom to top). The authors provide an in-depth coverage of security threats and issues across these tiers. Additionally the authors describe the approaches required for efficient security engineering, alongside exploring how existing solutions can be leveraged or enhanced to proactively meet the dynamic needs of security for the next-generation distributed systems. The practical issues thereof are reinforced via practical case studies. Distributed Systems Security: Presents an overview of distributed systems security issues, including threats, trends, standards and solutions. Discusses threats and vulnerabilities in different layers namely the host, infrastructure, application, and service layer to provide a holistic and practical, contemporary view of enterprise architectures. Provides practical insights into developing current-day distributed systems security using realistic case studies. This book will be of invaluable interest to software engineers, developers, network professionals and technical/enterprise architects working in the field of distributed systems security. Managers and CIOs, researchers and advanced students will also find this book insightful.

The quick, easy way to get up-to-speed on the Win 32 API--completely updated--covers Windows 2000, NT4, and Windows 98/95. There are detailed chapters on every key topic: processes and threads, security, directories and drives, and many more. The CD-ROM contains all sample code.

Key features include integrated learning about all four aspects of COM (COM, Automation, ActiveX, and DCOM), an emphasized component creation and use of techniques independent of any single programming language. The CD-ROM includes source code for all projects presented in the book in all four development environments covered.