ioNode

ioNode simply stands for a node [agent, hub, web server, database, other hardware point...] of an ioNetwork deployment. ioNode 1.0 was developed to be configured to perform agent or hub roles within an ioNetwork infrastructure.

2005 onwards the Phosphorix team decided to address the ever inflating core ioNode code and plan the refactoring of the core code plus the delivery of the 100% open source ioAgent

ioNode is a what might be termed a 'classic middleware server' solution. It  brokers messages and provides data exchange between otherwise incompatible systems. ioNode provides a solution where issues of trust can otherwise hold back progress between organisations.

The many interoperability challenges faced across different industry sectors requires companies like Phosphorix to get technology systems to talk. It is no longer acceptable to deliver a bespoke solution to do this. Bespoke solutions do not tend to scale well and generally require 24-hour support. Security issues, reliability issues and IT policy further restrict choice. Phosphorix - via ioNode - look to deliver a solution to the education sector which will allow transparency and ongoing improvements. Our aim is to propagate the expertise and improve the software delivered via an Open Source strategy.

ioNode is independent of the network or hardware architecture, and is therefore suitable to provide a complete messaging service on any number of servers.

ioNodes are configured to talk to each other by exchanging messages using a common language. They have been developed to provide persistent and reliable messaging, this is a key benefit to systems architects and network managers.

ioNode has been developed in Java and as such is independent of specific Operating Systems. This, along with the fact it is Open Source makes it an open standard. Other open industry standards key to ioNode’s value are SOAP [Simple Object Access Protocol], XML [eXtensible Mark up Language], ebXML [electronic business XML] and ebMS [electronic business Messaging Services]. These standards have been woven together to provide a reliable open framework for ‘messaging’, ‘transaction services’ and ‘web services’.

ioNode - in this first release - is also built on proven open source server systems such as Apache Tomcat, PostgreSQL and Xindice. It also makes use of the Open Source Operating System FreeBSD, to provide a reliable server environment for ioNode. FreeBSD can easily be switched for any  Microsoft Windows Server Environment or any ‘nix’ environment (Unix, Linux etc). ioNode has been developed on both Windows and FreeBSD servers from its inception, allowing for each component to be swapped as required.

The paper entitled 'A Framework for interoperability ' offers an insight into an open source middleware called ioNode. It explains its features, advantages and benefits in the contexts of the interoperability and the networking challenges facing systems integrators today.