Tool Mentor: Describing Distribution Using Rational Software Development Platform
This tool mentor describes how to describe the distrubution of system elements using the SDP modeling environment.
Main Description

Overview

The following steps are performed in this tool mentor:

Analyze Distribution Requirements

There is no tool specific guidance for this step, but the following is a list of tips that will help in documenting the distribution related information:

  • Consider breaking the large diagrams into a number of smaller diagrams, addressing a cohesive subset of the distribution aspect.
  • Use <<perspective>> views, as these could be useful for communicating specific distribution information.
  • Use notes and color as visual cues to draw attention to important features represented on diagrams.
  • Provide details consistent with the level of abstraction required. Expose only those elements that are essential to understanding:
    • Use Delete from Diagram to remove undesired elements. This command will remove the elements from the diagram, but it will not impact the underlying model.
    • Use Filters to hide/expose details. This command is accessed by right-clicking on model elements in a diagram and selecting Filters.

Define the Network Configuration

Refine the deployment diagram created in Task: Architectural Analysis. The Model Structure Guidelines for RSx white paper recommends using a Blank Model as a starting point.

Allocate System Elements to Nodes

Annotate the deployment diagram, or add additional diagrams, to show logical deployment (classes, subsystems, or threads of control mapped to nodes), and/or physical deployment (artifacts mapped to nodes). The steps are as follows:

  1. Add additional deployment diagrams as needed. See help book iconAdding Diagrams Elements in the online Help.
  2. Add nodes or node instances to the diagram. See help book iconNodes, Node Instances in the online Help.
  3. Drag and drop design model elements or implementation model elements onto the diagram. If the element to be deployed is not yet modeled, add it as needed to the appropriate model. (See Model Structure Guidelines for RSx for where each kind of element is modeled.)
  4. If the elements added are artifacts, add directly deploy relationships between nodes and deployed elements.
  5. For logical elements there a number of representation options:
    • A general association could be used to show the logical deployment
    • An artifact which is linked through a manifestation relationship to the logical elements it implements, and relates to a node by using a direct deploy relationship.
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