Also critical to its success will be broad adoption of the distributed computing model, where actual code is moved around the network, as well as files and data. Yes, as long as there is Java code provided somewhere on the network that understands how the legacy device works. The other Jini devices can then use that code as a proxy or stand-in for the legacy system. Java RMI is the native Java networking protocol that Jini builds upon. RMI, which also provides the communication pathway among JVMs, also supplies the mechanism for tracking and activating various Java object groups on the network.
Devices can plug in and work immediately.
A huge complaint with computers today is their complexity. People in corporations have these devices, too, and they will need to be managed and work together. We believe wireless will happen, but we designed Jini to work with devices people have today, and especially well with devices that are coming, with the network interfaces built in. Our goal is to have a variety of Jini products out toward the end of 1999, embedded in appliances. But you can certainly run Jini services on existing Java-based products now.