Introduction to Part 2

Organisation

Part 2, System Sets is structured as follows:

• Introduction (this chapter).

• SPIRIT Set Structure (see SPIRIT Set Structure ).

  Describes how platform configurations are defined for Service Providers applications and how a consistent grouping of SPIRIT specifications is selected for each platform configuration.

• SPIRIT Sets (see SPIRIT Sets ).

  Organises the SPIRIT specifications into consistent groupings.

Purpose

SPIRIT has defined a number (five) of sensible combinations of its specifications for typical platform configurations. Each reflects a common way that computing technology is used to meet particular business needs. These combinations are called system sets. Users of SPIRIT will find it helpful to frame a Request for Tender around one or more of these system sets, focusing their attentions on the particular deltas and qualities required. From the vendors' point of view, such combinations also reduce the cost of integrating and testing software components because of fewer customer-specific platform variations.

In a few areas, there are complex dependencies between some of the underlying specifications, especially for communications and management. SPIRIT has defined sensible sub-assemblies of these underlying specifications to ensure the dependencies are met. These sub-assemblies are called component sets. Users will find it convenient to incorporate these component sets when required, to avoid having to check for these inter-dependencies themselves.