Load Balancing Algorithm Products built on ART have a server clustering architecture. Clients using the server believe they are working with a single server process, while the ORB or J2EE container actually distributes them across the set of server processes in the cluster. You are not forced into using any particular model for clustering your servers - the number of servers in the cluster, the location of servers, and the algorithm to route clients to servers, can all be customized on a per application basis since the load balancing system is completely pluggable. Also, wireless protocols could be plugged in as a substitute without having to change any of the ORB layer. The diagram below positions ART within the overall product architecture.
ART is labeled in yellow and the product specific components are labeled in blue, green and purple.
The ART infrastructure provides a plug-in framework. A plug-in is a code library that can be loaded into the application built on ART at link time or run time. Plug-ins can be linked directly with an application, loaded when an application starts up, or loaded on demand while the application is running. The following services are provided as part of ART Systems Management - Provides instrumentation to allow management at the development, installation, configuration and deployment stages. Object Transaction Service - Encina toolkit providing atomic, recoverable transaction guaranteeing that your database is kept in a consistent state.