## Levels of Integration

There are three levels of UNIX and Windows Integration:

- Coexistence
- Interoperation and integration
- Migration

#### Coexistence

Coexistence means that UNIX and Windows NT can exist together on the same network without interfering with each other’s operation. For example, Windows NT uses TCP/IP as its main networking protocol using the same networking infrastructure that supports the existing UNIX computers. If Windows NT supported only a protocol such as NetBEUI, IPX, or AppleTalk, commonly used network equipment such as routers would have to be modified or replaced to support the additional protocol.

Simple coexistence means that data is not being easily shared between UNIX and Windows NT, and that users are partitioned into using one operating system or the other, but not both. Many companies have been introduced to Windows NT in this manner. A group outside of the main UNIX information systems (IS) staff starts installing Windows NT on their own computers without any thought as to how to make the two operating systems (and groups of people) work together.

#### Interoperation and Integration

Interoperation and integration are the heart of this course. It assumes that you want to use both UNIX and Windows NT at the same time and take advantage of the features specific to each operating system.

Interoperation allows you to instruct programs that are included with both operating systems to talk with each other simply by configuring them correctly. For example, you can transfer data between UNIX and Windows NT using file transfer protocol (FTP). You can also print from UNIX to Windows NT or vice versa.

Integration allows you to acquire additional software, and this can involve more expertise than simple interoperation. For example, sharing data between Windows NT and UNIX usually requires making the file systems from one operating system available to the other. Because neither UNIX nor Windows NT supports a common network file system, you will need to add software that enables one system to use the file system of the other. You will also want to coordinate user and group information for both systems to preserve file system permissions and security.

One goal of interoperation and integration is to make it easy for the users of one operating system to gain access to features of another, without requiring them to be knowledgeable about both. The level of end-user knowledge could and should drive many of the technical decisions that you may face during this effort.

#### Migration

The ultimate goal of migration is to move applications and data from one operating system to another.

For example, if you are planning to move a mail server from a UNIX server to a Windows NT server, your interest in UNIX may end once the migration task is completed. Integration will most likely be an intermediate step before migration, because there will be a period during which you need both operating systems to be available at the same time.

If the end users are also being migrated from one system to another, they will also need access to both systems for some period of time.

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Last Updated: December 1, 1997