ITODs can execute on a dedicated platform, or can share a platform with other applications. The architecture also enables multiple instances of an application to execute on distributed hardware platforms, and yet appear as a single application to the rest of the system. Likewise, multiple applications can be consolidated to a single platform. ITODs dynamically share the distribution of objects between multiple applications. Basically, it maintains a list of outstanding requests and guarantees those requests will receive replies.
Replies come from the application that received the request.
In cases where the application doesn't send the reply within a specified timeout period, the ITOD will send a failure reply to the requesting application. The ITOD uses ITCL methods to route requests, service announcements and updates. The ITOD facilitates communication between all parties and the client application, including the ITES, ITDS, contra traders and firms, and anyone else the client application communicates with. Each ITOD can support multiple applications, and multiple instances of those applications. When requesting information from a service with several sources open, the ITOD picks a source based on that service's configuration, which could specify the least loaded source, a random source, or all sources.