Meeting the real-time synchronization requirements of multimedia in open distributed processing

D'stributed systems has been an area of 'nrense activity over the pasr ien years. The suo.ecr is entering a stage of maturity with word now focusing on standards for Open DisiribLred Processing (ODP). Recent y. nowever, a number of new cha lenges nave emerged for oistrio-red systems. Among these cha lenges, oisirib-red systems are 'ncreasingly having to support multimedia services, and tn:s has raised a nLmoer of issues for d'striouted systems desgners. One of the most imponant issues in this area 's tnat of synchron'zarion. Multimedia appl cations reqLire sopn:sticated suppon for synchronization botn to coordinare mJ.rimedia presentations ana to maintain timing re.ationsn'ps oetween a nJmber of real-t'me oata transmissions. Current distribute0 system arch:tect-res 00 nor s-ppon sLch services. Tnis paper discusses me proolem of incorporating s~pport for synchronization in open disrrioJted system arcnilectures. It s argued ihat support must oe provided for synchron'zation both in the 'nvocation mecnanism and in the form of new services called streams ano synchronizaton managers. Tne proposals are compared to relate0 work 'n the fieo.