Benefits of using an OSA

There are several reasons for implementing an OSA instead of coding a manager to perform data operations directly:

• Transparent remote operations. The SCOadmin framework allows you to make an object request on another machine simply by specifying the name of the machine. The framework takes care of locating the OSA on the correct machine.

• Convenient reuse of code. If more than one manager needs a backend to the same system object, then only one OSA has to be written. For example, the system includes a device OSA that handles requests for information on storage devices. This single OSA is used by the Filesystem and Backup managers, and by the SNMP host MIB.

• A uniform API. A manager only uses one API for all types of objects. The ways in which the manager can call the Client API are determined by the class of the object. A uniform backend provides a uniform (and possibly transparent) path for future enhancements to the SCOadmin framework (such as directory services, new remote transport, or new administration paradigm).