Concepts of the NIST EXPRESS Server

Published

August 1, 1994

Author(s)

Don E. Libes

Abstract

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has built numerous software toolkits and application for manipulating STEP and EXPRESS data. The NIST EXPRESS Server is a computational facility at NIST, which provides the ability to run these toolkit-based applications remotely without installing them locally. EXPRESS schemas and other data files are e-mailed. Applications requiring interaction can either be returned via e-mail so that they can be run locally, or remotely by telnet or rlogin across the Internet. Access to the EXPRESS Server is available at no cost to anyone who can send e-mail. No initial registration is required. Use is anonymous by default, however it is possible to use the Server as a collaborative testbed in which case results can be immediately shared with other Server used. The Server is capable of restricting file access to one user or a subset of users. It is also possible to amex files publicly available. The Server maintains may STEP-related standards and draft standards for public access. Machine-processable standards such as STEP Schemas can be incorporated automatically when processing user files even if they are not publicly available. The Server dramatically lowers the traditional start-up cost and manpower required to obtain and install STEP and EXPRESS tools as well as the continuing support costs to upgrade and maintain the software, by leveraging NIST research, software support and installation, and computing facilities. The Server enables people to experiment or demonstrate STEP without significant investment of time and money, allowing them to build experience and make informed decisions about their future needs for STEP.

Proceedings Title

First International Workshop on Services in Distributed and Networked Environments (SDNE)

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

applications, EXPRESS data, EXPRESS server, schemas, software, software toolkit, STEP, systems

Citation

Libes, D. (1994), Concepts of the NIST EXPRESS Server, First International Workshop on Services in Distributed and Networked Environments (SDNE), [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=821293 (Accessed October 6, 2024)