Partitioning of Function in a Distributed Graphics System

Although recent advances in graphics workstations promise much computing power for the future needs of researchers, traditional approaches to software organization waste much of this power. Most systems treat the workstation as either a fixed-function terminal or a self-contained personal computer; these roles have limitations that can be overcome by considering the workstation a multi-function component of a distributed system. Traditional standard graphics packages and object-oriented window systems offer important functionality, but a third approach, virtual terminal management systems, is more appropriate for a distributed operating system. This thesis discusses the trade-offs involved in partioning of function in a distributed graphics system. Performance is one important property traded for advanced functionally or decreased cost. To provide adequate performance in a distributed system, communication costs should be kept low, as well as the frequency of the communication. By providing modeling as well as viewing facilities, the VGTS(Virtual Graphics Terminal Service) reduces the communication required between applications and the service.