System and method for generating Web Service architectures using a Web Services structured methodology

• US 7,698,398 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2003
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Lai, Ray Y
• Primary Examiner(s): Donaghue; Larry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gillis; Brian J
• Application Number:
  US10/657,947
• Time in Patent Office: 2,408 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/227, 709/230, 709/228
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/10 Requirements analysis; Specification techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services

Abstract

System and method for generating Web Services using a Web Services Structured Methodology. One embodiment may be implemented as a Web Services architecture design mechanism. Lifecycles of the Web Services design process may include vision and strategy, architecture design, development, integration, and deployment. In one embodiment, the Web Services architecture design mechanism may implement a structured methodology design process for Web Services. One embodiment may include a reusable Web Services design pattern catalog and a mechanism for maintaining and updating the catalog and for using the catalog to apply design patterns when designing and implementing Web Services. One embodiment may be used for Enterprise And Cross-Enterprise Integration of Web Services. One embodiment may be used for Legacy Mainframe Integration and Interoperability with Web Services.

Claims

1. A system for generating vendor-independent Web Service architectures, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor to generate vendor-independent Web Service architectures for implementing Web Services, wherein, to generate a Web Service architecture for implementing a specific Web Service, the program instructions are executable by the processor to;

identify one or more logical components for the Web Service architecture according to one or more use case requirements for the specific Web Service;

translate the one or more use case requirements for the specific Web Service and one or more technical constraints for the specific Web Service to determine a plurality of heterogeneous Web Service components for the Web Service architecture, wherein the Web Service components include software components;

categorize the Web Service components into two or more related groups according to a vendor-independent Web Service architecture framework;

organize the groups of Web Service components in the Web Service architecture according to two or more tiers and two or more platform layers of the Web Service architecture;

modify one or more of the software components according to one or more architecture principles for each of the two or more tiers and the two or more platform layers;

apply one or more Web Services design patterns to the Web Service architecture; and

provide output indicating the generated Web Service architecture for implementing the specific Web Service.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing the specific Web Service.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the Web Service comprises:

a service provider configured to provide one or more services of the Web Service; and

one or more service requesters configured to access the one or more services from the service provider via a network.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the Web Service further comprises a service broker configured to interact with the service provider and service requester to negotiate and provide the services of the service provider to the service requester.

5. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the Web Service further comprises a service registry, wherein the service provider is further configured to register and publish the services in the service registry, and wherein the service requester is further configured to discover the service provider through the service registry.

6. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the Web Service is a Business-to-Consumer Web Service, wherein the service provider is a business service provider, and wherein the service requester is an end user.

7. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the Web Service is a Business-to-Business Web Service, wherein the service provider is a business service provider, and wherein the service requester is a server.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein, to categorize the Web Service components into two or more related groups according to a vendor-independent Web Service architecture framework, the program instructions are further executable by the processor to categorize the Web Service components into one or more of service delivery, service management, identity/policy and services Web Service components.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the platform layers comprise two or more of:

a network layer configured to serve as an underlying network for Web Services implemented according to the Web Service architecture;

a transport layer for delivering messages between components of the Web Services;

a service description language layer configured to describe service type and functionality of the Web Services;

a transaction routing layer configured to route messages on the transport layer;

a service discovery layer configured to search for and locate the Web Services;

a service negotiation layer configured to negotiate exchanges between service requesters and service providers implemented according to the Web Service architecture;

a management layer configured for provisioning of the Web Services and for monitoring and administration of the Web Services;

a Quality of Service layer configured to provide reliability, scalability, and availability for the Web Services;

a security layer configured to provide authentication, entitlement, and non-repudiation security on the transport layer; and

an Open Standards layer.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the design patterns comprise one or more of:

one or more Quality of Services design patterns; and

one or more Security design patterns.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises a Web Services Design Pattern catalog, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to access the one or more Web Services design patterns from the Web Services Design Pattern catalog for said application to the Web Service architecture.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the Web Services Design Pattern catalog is configured for use in generating one or more additional Web Service architectures.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

determine one or more new Web Services design patterns for application to the Web Service architecture; and

record the one or more new Web Services design patterns in the Web Services Design Pattern catalog.

14. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

determine that one of the one or more Web Services design patterns in the Web Services Design Pattern catalog need to be modified for the Web Service architecture; and

modify the Web Services design pattern in the Web Services Design Pattern catalog.

15. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing an Enterprise integrated Web Service.

16. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing a Cross-Enterprise integrated Web Service.

17. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Web Service architecture framework comprises an enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework, and wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing an Enterprise or a Cross-Enterprise integrated Web Service.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

define a plurality of integration tiers, one or more basic components, and one or more Web Services technologies for enterprise or cross-enterprise integration according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework; and

define how each of the plurality of integration tiers communicates with others of the plurality of integration tiers according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to define integration of one or more Enterprise Application Interface (EAI) products with the one or more Web Services technologies according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework.

20. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the plurality of integration tiers comprises one or more of:

a client tier, a presentation tier, a business tier, an integration tier, and a resources tier.

21. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework comprises one or more integration design patterns configured for use in generating the Web Service architecture.

22. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the integration design patterns comprise one or more of:

an Application-to-Application Design Pattern;

a Standard Build Design Pattern;

a Hub-Spoke Replication Design Pattern;

a Federated Replication Design Pattern;

a Multi-Step Application Integration Design Pattern;

a Data Exchange Design Pattern;

a Closed Process Integration Design Pattern;

an Open Process Integration Design Pattern;

a Service Consolidation-Broker Integration design pattern; and

a Reverse Auction-Broker Integration design pattern.

23. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to provide integration and interoperability with the Web Service architecture for existing business functionality including one or more mainframe systems.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the one or more Web Services design patterns include one or more Mainframe Integration and Interoperability design patterns.

25. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein the Mainframe Integration and Interoperability design patterns comprise one or more of a Synchronous Mainframe Web Services design pattern and an Asynchronous Mainframe Web Services design pattern.

26. A system for designing and implementing Web Services comprising heterogeneous components, the system comprising:

means for applying a Web Services structured methodology and one or more design patterns to a Web Service architecture to identify heterogeneous components for the Web Service architecture and to organize the heterogeneous components according to the Web Service architecture, wherein said means for applying a Web Services structured methodology and one or more design patterns to a Web Service architecture comprises;

means for identifying one or more logical components for the Web Service architecture according to one or more use case requirements for the Web Service;

means for translating the one or more use case requirements for the Web Service and one or more technical constraints for the Web Service to determine a plurality of heterogeneous Web Service components for the Web Service architecture, wherein the Web Service components include software components;

means for categorizing the Web Service components into two or more related groups according to a vendor-independent Web Service architecture framework;

means for organizing the groups of Web Service components in the Web Service architecture according to two or more tiers and two or more platform layers of the Web Service architecture;

means for modifying one or more of the software components according to one or more architecture principles for each of the two or more tiers and the two or more platform layers;

means for applying one or more Web Services design patterns to the Web Service architecture; and

means for providing output indicating the Web Service architecture for implementing the Web Service; and

means for implementing a Web Service comprising the identified heterogeneous components organized according to the Web Service architecture.

27. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein said means for applying a Web Services structured methodology and one or more design patterns to a Web Service architecture comprises means for providing integration and interoperability with the Web Service architecture for existing business functionality including one or more mainframe systems.

28. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein said means for applying a Web Services structured methodology and one or more design patterns to a Web Service architecture comprises means for storing and accessing the design patterns.

29. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the Web Service architecture framework comprises an enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework, and wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing an Enterprise or a Cross-Enterprise integrated Web Service.

30. A method for designing and implementing vendor-independent Web Service architectures, the method comprising:

one or more computer devices performing;

identifying one or more logical components for a vendor-independent Web Service architecture for implementing a Web Service according to one or more use case requirements for the Web Service;

translating the one or more use case requirements for the Web Service and one or more technical constraints for the Web Service to determine a plurality of heterogeneous Web Service components for the Web Service architecture wherein the Web Service components include software components;

categorizing the Web Service components into two or more related groups according to a vendor-independent Web Service architecture framework;

organizing the groups of Web Service components in the Web Service architecture according to two or more tiers and two or more platform layers of the Web Service architecture;

modifying one or more of the software components according to one or more architecture principles for each of the two or more tiers and two one or more platform layers;

applying one or more Web Services design patterns to the Web Service architecture; and

providing output indicating the generated Web Service architecture for implementing the Web Service.

31. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprising implementing the Web Service according to the Web Service architecture.

32. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the Web Service comprises a service provider and a service requester, the method further comprising:

the service provider providing one or more services of the Web Service on a network; and

the service requester accessing the one or more services of the Web Service on the service provider via the network.

33. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein the Web Service is a Business-to-Consumer Web Service, wherein the service provider is a business service provider, and wherein the service requester is an end user.

34. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein the Web Service is a Business-to-Business Web Service, wherein the service provider is a business service provider, and wherein the service requester is a server.

35. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said categorizing the Web Service components into two or more related groups according to a vendor-independent Web Service architecture framework comprises categorizing the Web Service components into one or more of service delivery, service management, identity/policy and services Web Service components.

36. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the platform layers comprise two or more of:

a network layer configured to serve as an underlying network for Web Services implemented according to the Web Service architecture;

a transport layer for delivering messages between components of the Web Services;

a service description language layer configured to describe service type and functionality of the Web Services;

a transaction routing layer configured to route messages on the transport layer;

a service discovery layer configured to search for and locate the Web Services;

a service negotiation layer configured to negotiate exchanges between service requesters and service providers implemented according to the Web Service architecture;

a management layer configured for provisioning of the Web Services and for monitoring and administration of the Web Services;

a Quality of Service layer configured to provide reliability, scalability, and availability for the Web Services;

a security layer configured to provide authentication, entitlement, and non-repudiation security on the transport layer; and

an Open Standards layer.

37. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the design patterns comprise one or more of:

one or more Quality of Services design patterns; and

one or more Security design patterns.

38. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said applying one or more Web Services design patterns to the Web Service architecture comprises accessing the one or more Web Services design patterns from a Web Services Design Pattern catalog.

39. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the Web Services Design Pattern catalog is configured for use in generating one or more additional Web Service architectures.

40. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the one or more Web Services design patterns are accessed from a Web Services Design Pattern catalog, the method further comprising:

determining one or more new Web Services design patterns for application to the Web Service architecture; and

recording the one or more new Web Services design patterns in the Web Services Design Pattern catalog.

41. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprising implementing an Enterprise integrated Web Service according to the Web Service architecture.

42. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprising implementing a Cross-Enterprise integrated Web Service according to the Web Service architecture.

43. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the Web Service architecture framework comprises an enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework, and wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing an Enterprise or a Cross-Enterprise integrated Web Service.

44. The method as recited in claim 43, further comprising:

defining a plurality of integration tiers, one or more basic components, and one or more Web Services technologies for enterprise or cross-enterprise integration according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework; and

defining how each of the plurality of integration tiers communicates with others of the plurality of integration tiers according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework.

45. The method as recited in claim 44, further comprising defining integration of one or more Enterprise Application Interface (EAI) products with the one or more Web Services technologies according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework.

46. The method as recited in claim 44, wherein the plurality of integration tiers comprises one or more of:

a client tier, a presentation tier, a business tier, an integration tier, and a resources tier.

47. The method as recited in claim 44, wherein the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework comprises one or more integration design patterns configured for use in generating the Web Service architecture.

48. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein the integration design patterns comprise one or more of:

an Application-to-Application Design Pattern;

a Standard Build Design Pattern;

a Hub-Spoke Replication Design Pattern;

a Federated Replication Design Pattern;

a Multi-Step Application Integration Design Pattern;

a Data Exchange Design Pattern;

a Closed Process Integration Design Pattern;

an Open Process Integration Design Pattern;

a Service Consolidation-Broker Integration design pattern; and

a Reverse Auction-Broker Integration design pattern.

49. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprising providing integration and interoperability with the Web Service architecture for existing business functionality including one or more mainframe systems.

50. The method as recited in claim 49, wherein the one or more Web Services design patterns include one or more Mainframe Integration and Interoperability design patterns.

51. The method as recited in claim 50, wherein the Mainframe Integration and Interoperability design patterns comprise one or more of a Synchronous Mainframe Web Services design pattern and an Asynchronous Mainframe Web Services design pattern.

52. A computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement:

identifying one or more logical components for a vendor-independent Web Service architecture for implementing a Web Service according to one or more use case requirements for the Web Service;

translating the one or more use case requirements for the Web Service and one or more technical constraints for the Web Service to determine a plurality of heterogeneous Web Service components for the Web Service architecture, wherein the Web Service components include software components;

categorizing the Web Service components into two or more related groups according to a vendor-independent Web Service architecture framework;

organizing the groups of Web Service components in the Web Service architecture according to two or more tiers and two or more platform layers of the Web Service architecture;

modifying one or more of the software components according to one or more architecture principles for each of the two or more tiers and the two or more platform layers;

applying one or more Web Services design patterns to the Web Service architecture; and

providing output indicating the generated Web Service architecture for implementing the Web Service.

53. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing the Web Service.

54. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 53, wherein the Web Service comprises:

a service provider configured to provide one or more services of the Web Service on a network; and

a service requester configured to access the one or more services of the Web Service on the service provider via the network.

55. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 54, wherein the Web Service is a Business-to-Consumer Web Service, wherein the service provider is a business service provider, and wherein the service requester is an end user.

56. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 54, wherein the Web Service is a Business-to-Business Web Service, wherein the service provider is a business service provider, and wherein the service requester is a server.

57. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein, in said categorizing the Web Service components into two or more related groups according to a vendor-independent Web Service architecture framework, the program instructions are further executable to implement categorizing the Web Service components into one or more of service delivery, service management, identity/policy and services Web Service components.

58. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the platform layers comprise two or more of:

a network layer configured to serve as an underlying network for Web Services implemented according to the Web Service architecture;

a transport layer for delivering messages between components of the Web Services;

a service description language layer configured to describe service type and functionality of the Web Services;

a transaction routing layer configured to route messages on the transport layer;

a service discovery layer configured to search for and locate the Web Services;

a service negotiation layer configured to negotiate exchanges between service requesters and service providers implemented according to the Web Service architecture;

a management layer configured for provisioning of the Web Services and for monitoring and administration of the Web Services;

a Quality of Service layer configured to provide reliability, scalability, and availability for the Web Services;

a security layer configured to provide authentication, entitlement, and non-repudiation security on the transport layer; and

an Open Standards layer.

59. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the design patterns comprise one or more of:

one or more Quality of Services design patterns; and

one or more Security design patterns.

60. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein, in said applying one or more Web Services design patterns to the Web Service architecture, the program instructions are further executable to implement accessing the one or more Web Services design patterns from a Web Services Design Pattern catalog.

61. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 60, wherein the Web Services Design Pattern catalog is configured for use in generating one or more additional Web Service architectures.

62. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 60, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

determining one or more new Web Services design patterns for application to the Web Service architecture; and

recording the one or more new Web Services design patterns in the Web Services Design Pattern catalog.

63. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing an Enterprise integrated Web Service according to the Web Service architecture.

64. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing a Cross-Enterprise integrated Web Service.

65. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the Web Service architecture framework comprises an enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework, and wherein the Web Service architecture is configured for use in implementing an Enterprise or a Cross-Enterprise integrated Web Service.

66. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 65, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

defining a plurality of integration tiers, one or more basic components, and one or more Web Services technologies for enterprise or cross-enterprise integration according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework; and

defining how each of the plurality of integration tiers communicates with others of the plurality of integration tiers according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework.

67. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 66, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement defining integration of one or more Enterprise Application Interface (EAI) products with the one or more Web Services technologies according to the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework.

68. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 66, wherein the plurality of integration tiers comprises one or more of:

a client tier, a presentation tier, a business tier, an integration tier, and a resources tier.

69. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 66, wherein the enterprise and cross-enterprise integration framework comprises one or more integration design patterns configured for use in generating the Web Service architecture.

70. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 69, wherein the integration design patterns comprise one or more of:

an Application-to-Application Design Pattern;

a Standard Build Design Pattern;

a Hub-Spoke Replication Design Pattern;

a Federated Replication Design Pattern;

a Multi-Step Application Integration Design Pattern;

a Data Exchange Design Pattern;

a Closed Process Integration Design Pattern;

an Open Process Integration Design Pattern;

a Service Consolidation-Broker Integration design pattern; and

a Reverse Auction-Broker Integration design pattern.

71. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 52, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement providing integration and interoperability with the Web Service architecture for existing business functionality including one or more mainframe systems.

72. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 71, wherein the one or more Web Services design patterns include one or more Mainframe Integration and Interoperability design patterns.

73. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 72, wherein the Mainframe Integration and Interoperability design patterns comprise one or more of a Synchronous Mainframe Web Services design pattern and an Asynchronous Mainframe Web Services design pattern.