Middleware
Middleware is a software layer between an application and the operating system. Network middleware isolates the application from the details of the underlying computer architecture, operating system and network stack (see Figure 1). Network middleware simplifies the development of distributed systems by allowing applications to send and receive information without having to program using lower-level protocols such as sockets and TCP or UDP/IP.
Figure 1. Network Middleware. Connext DDS is middleware that insulates applications from the raw operating-system network stack.
RTI Connext DDS is network middleware for real-time distributed applications. It provides the communications service programmers need to distribute time-critical data between embedded and/or enterprise devices or nodes. Connext DDS uses the publish-subscribe communications model to make data distribution efficient and robust.
Connext DDS implements the Data-Centric Publish-Subscribe (DCPS) API within the OMG’s Data Distribution Service (DDS) for Real-Time Systems. DDS is the first standard developed for the needs of real-time systems. DCPS provides an efficient way to transfer data in a distributed system.
With Connext DDS, systems designers and programmers start with a fault-tolerant and flexible communications infrastructure that will work over a wide variety of computer hardware, operating systems, languages, and networking transport protocols. Connext is highly configurable so programmers can adapt it to meet the application’s specific communication requirements.
Additional Information on this Topic from RTI
- Embedded Computing: Middleware - The Last Roadblock to Distributed Systems Development. Author: Stan Schneider
- Section 1 in the RTI Connext - Core Libraries and Utilities Users' Manual, version 5.0