The DNS supports and connects the four functions of a corporation:
The DNS is at the center of the corporate functions; all information can flow through the DNS. The most difficult part of creating this system is providing a means to pass messages through the DNS. As has been discussed previously, and will be discussed throughout this book, the means for the most part is XML.
The DNS vision is that digital storage, retrieval, and delivery of information will radically improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of corporations that use it correctly. The role of the DNS in linking these corporate functions is illustrated in Figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1. Microsoft products that support the four corporate functions and the DNS.
As the figure illustrates, each of the corporate functions and the DNS are supported by Microsoft products. The heart of the DNS is Microsoft's server products: Microsoft BackOffice, SQL Server 7, Internet Information Services, Site Server, Microsoft Windows NT, and so on. All of the functions of the enterprise will be able to connect to these server products through the DNS.
Site Server will eventually be replaced by Business Server. You could also include Microsoft SNA Server as part of the DNS if you need to connect to mainframe systems. The upgrades of SNA Server, which will be released soon, and Business Server will both be XML based. The new versions of IIS and SQL Server 7.5 will also have added XML functionality. Thus, XML will become a critical element in every part of the DNS.