| ## Preface ### Overview Introduction to OSF DCE provides an introduction to the OSF Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) offering. The glossary introduces terms used in DCE documentation. After reading this document, a user will: Have a high-level understanding of DCE Understand the individual technology components that constitute DCE Understand the interdependencies of the DCE technology components Be able to find further information about DCE in related documents

| ### Document Usage The manual is organized as follows: Chapter 1, Overview of DCE, gives an overview of DCE. It describes distributed computing and its uses, and presents the client/server model of distributed computing, on which DCE is based. It gives a summary of the DCE architecture, along with a brief description of each of the technology components that make up DCE, and their integration with one another. Chapter 2, DCE Configuration, gives examples of typical DCE configurations. It explains the concept of a DCE cell, and describes the DCE software configuration components. It describes the configuration of different types of DCE machines. It then gives examples of different cell configurations, including a simple DCE cell, and cells with various combinations of DCE services. Chapter 3, DCE Technology Components, describes each of the technology components that make up DCE. It includes sections on DCE Threads, Remote Procedure Call, Directory Service, Distributed Time Service, Security Service, Distributed File Service, and cross-component facilities, including the DCE control program. Its last section shows how some of these services are used in a simple distributed application example. Chapter 4, Integration of DCE Technology Components, describes the ways in which each of the DCE components uses the other technology components of DCE, and what implications their integration has for porting, testing, configuring, and starting up DCE systems. Appendix A, Overview of DCE Documentation, gives an overview of DCE documentation, and suggests reading paths for different audiences. Appendix B, List of Acronyms and Abbreviations, lists the acronyms and abbreviations used in this manual. Glossary defines terms used in this manual and the rest of the DCE documentation set.

| ### Related Documents The DCE documentation set comprises the following manuals: Introduction to OSF DCE OSF DCE Command Reference OSF DCE Administration Guide - Introduction OSF DCE Administration Guide - Core Components OSF DCE DFS Administration Guide and Reference OSF DCE GDS Administration Guide and Reference OSF DCE Application Development Reference OSF DCE Application Development Guide - Introduction and Style Guide OSF DCE Application Development Guide - Core Components40 OSF DCE Development Guide - Directory Services OSF DCE/File-Access Administration Guide and Reference OSF DCE/File-Access User's Guide OSF DCE Problem Determination Guide OSF DCE Testing Guide OSF DCE File-Access FVT User's Guide Application Environment Specification/Distributed Computing OSF DCE Release Notes

| ### Typographic and Keying Conventions This guide uses the following typographic conventions:
Bold | Bold words or characters represent system elements that you must use literally, such as commands, options, and pathnames.
Italic | Italic words or characters represent variable values that you must supply.
Constant width | Examples and information that the system displays appear in constant width typeface.
[ ] | Brackets enclose optional items in format and syntax descriptions.
{ } | Braces enclose a list from which you must choose an item in format and syntax descriptions.
| | A vertical bar separates items in a list of choices.
< > | Angle brackets enclose the name of a key on the keyboard.
... | Horizontal ellipsis points indicate that you can repeat the preceding item one or more times.
This guide uses the following keying conventions:
<Ctrl-x> or ^x | The notation <Ctrl -x > or ^x followed by the name of a key indicates a control character sequence. For example, <Ctrl-C> means that you hold down the control key while pressing <C>.
<Return> | The notation <Return> refers to the key on your terminal or workstation that is labeled with the word Return or Enter, or with a left arrow.

| ### Problem Reporting If you have any problems with the software or documentation, please contact your software vendor's customer service department.

| ### Path Names of Directories and Files in DCE Documentation For a list of the path names for directories and files referred to in this guide, see the OSF DCE Administration Guide - Core Components and the OSF DCE Testing Guide.