Digital storage media-command and control (DSM-CC) is a set of protocols for the delivery of integrated video-based multimedia services over networks, including delivery over residential broadband networks to homes. Open protocols in this area are essential for widespread deployment of interactive multimedia services to homes. After describing the basic reference model of DSM-CC and its concept of session and multiresource connection, this paper examines how DSM-CC can work over broadband ATM networks. A series of ATM network architectures is described along with the DSM-CC and Q.2931 message flows that together set up sessions and allocate connections between servers and clients. The characteristics of each ATM network architecture are briefly discussed.

Abstract BNR Pascal is a systems programming language intended for the implementation of the systems software of distributed computing systems. It supports the Ada Rendezvous model of tasking and communication, uniformly extended to support communications between tasks distributed over the computing nodes of a system. BNR Pascal was designed and implemented in 1980, and has since been used to implement the operating systems and real‐time applications software for Northern Telecom's Meridian family of products. In total, more than 2 million lines of BNR Pascal exist. This paper describes the BNR Pascal remote rendezvous: the extension of rendezvous to interprocessor communication. It discusses the implementation of remote rendezvous, describing the advantages and disadvantages of several options. Finally, it details BNR's experience in using remote rendezvous in building substantial, practical distributed systems used in products.

In the above correspondence1 a remote procedure call mechanism is proposed that uses a system-wide sequence number to eliminate duplicate and orphan messages. We show that the described mechanism also discards valid messages. A brief description is provided of an alternative scheme that avoids this problem.

The successful implementation of generalized multiple computer systems will require attention both to the form of physical architecture and to the choice and implementation of a suitable systems environment in which to construct and run applications. This paper argues for the use of a multi-computer physical architecture in preference to a multi-processor architecture, and for dynamic distribution of functions and control as opposed to static allocation of functions and hierarchical control. A systems environment which is based on a domain structure is then described. The domain structure restricts sharing of items. This alleviates the main problem in implementing a capability mechanism to support domains in a system without shared memory, which is that a central table of capabilities is required. It also makes the management of the non shared items easier since they can be required only at one computer at a time. Essential sharing is also handled without central control but at the cost of some complexity. Considerable attention is paid to the handling of interdomain jumps as they provide the opportunity for the dynamic allocation of functions. It is conjectured that the resulting system would be capable of smooth expansion in size from one to twenty five computers. In operation it would exhibit dynamic load balancing as well as having the protection advantages of domain structure.