Architecture with which third-party developers can legally develop products and for which public domain specifications exist.
When a manufacturer publicly publishes the specifications for their computer, the computer is said to have an open architecture. This allows other companies to create add-ons to enhance and customize the machine, and to make peripheral devices such as external hard disks and scanners that work properly with it. With a closed architecture, only the original manufacturer can make add-ons and peripherals. A computer with an open architecture, such as the IBM PC, also means that other developers can not only make add-on parts, but can also make a similar machine, which spawned the whole world of IBM clones. The Macintosh architecture is only partway open. Apple gives other manufac-turers enough information to make add-in boards and peripherals, but not enough to create a Mac clone.
Open architecture systems are designed to allow system components to be easily connected to devices and programs made by other manufacturers.
A term used to describe any computer or peripheral design that has published specifications. A published specification lets third parties develop add-on hardware for an open-architecture computer or device. The term can also refer to a design that provides for expansion slots on the motherboard, allowing the addition of boards to enhance or customize a system.
Standardization, documentation, and publication of meter system parameters that allow data to be exchanged among authorized parties from an access point to the point at which data are of billing quality. Generally used in discussions of meter standards that allow any supplier of power to accept data from any meter that follows an "open architecture" specification, thus avoiding proprietary meter standards that could obsolete a customer's metering should he wish to switch to a provider using a different meter spec.
A computer that has an open-lid policy it invites add-on devices.
System in which specs are made public to encourage 3rd Party vendor participation. An architecture whose specifications are public. This includes officially approved standards as well as privately designed architectures whose specifications are made public by the designers. The opposite of open is closed or proprietary. The great advantage of open architectures is that anyone can design add-on products for it. By making architecture public, however, a manufacturer allows others to duplicate its product. Linux, for example, is considered open architecture because its source code is available to the public for free. In contrast, DOS, Windows, and the Macintosh architecture and operating system have been predominantly closed. Many lawsuits have been filed over the use of these architectures in clone machines. For example, IBM issued a Cease and Desist order, followed by a battery of lawsuits, when COMPAQ built its first computers.
A vendor-independent cmputer design that is publicly available and well understood within the industry. An open architecture allows the user to configure the computer easily by adding expansion cards.
A term referring to the use of standard, multi-purpose equipment produced by a broad range of manufacturers. Apple Macintosh is said to be an open architecture computer because any company can make parts to be used inside and beside the Mac. Open architecture computer environments are preferred to closed architecture because competition keeps prices down and the pace of advancement up.
An 'architecture' is a design, specifically that of hardware or software. The specification of open architecture software is publicly available, and such products may therefore be adapted, or add-ons may be created.
The manner in which the information highway is designed so that equipment of different manufacturers may be used, and content producers/providers are able to share information and any subsequent revenue opportunities.
A system structure that is compatible with hardware and software from many vendors.
A foundation for computer technology in which all specifications are industry-standard and are generally available.
An architecture that employs open standards for key interfaces within a system.
An architecture that is compatible with hardware and software from any of many vendors.
A computer design that allows for the easy addition of circuit boards produced by a variety of manufactures
A system whose characteristics comply with industry standards and can be connected to other systems that also comply with these standards. Compare closed architecture.
Systems (usually operating systems) that are not tied to a particular computer system or hardware manufacturer. An example is the UNIX operating system, with versions available for a variety of hardware platforms.
A technology infrastructure with specifications that are public as opposed to proprietary. This includes officially approved standards as well as privately designed architectures for which the specifications are made public by their designers. The IBM PC, for example, was based on an open architecture, and spawned an entire industry of IBM clones.
A network structure in which all hardware and software is based on industry standards in order to facilitate compatibility with as many other networks as possible.
As used in the TRON Project, a computer architecture that can be used by any firm without the payment of royalties or license fees.
A standard, or system that is public, encouraging third-party manufacturers to develop add-ons. A good example of open architecture is the PC.
Avendor-independent computer design that is publicly available and well understood within the industry. An open architecture allows the user to configure the computer easily by adding expansion cards ... more
n. 1. Any computer or peripheral design that has published specifications. A published specification lets third parties develop add-on hardware for a computer or device. Compare closed architecture (definition 1). 2. A design that provides for expansion slots on the motherboard, thereby allowing the addition of boards to enhance or customize a system. Compare closed architecture (definition 2).
Open architecture is a type of computer architecture or software architecture that allows adding, upgrading and swapping components. For example, the IBM PC has an open architecture, whereas the Amiga 500 home computer had a closed architecture, where the hardware manufacturer chooses the components, and they are not generally upgradable.