Middleware Component

From MIKE2 Methodology

Middleware involves the use of application integration technologies such as adapters and integration brokers across a common connectivity layer. It is functionality that is analogous to the interfacing capabilities of ETL technologies but is generally seen as more for application integration than for data integration. The integration capabilities of middleware combine with process automation to deliver the base set of off-the-shelf capabilities required for application integration.

As capabilities become more advanced, integration components use the Enterprise Service Bus as a common communications channel where services interact with one another. This layer provides a logical data communication session and services to allow reliable communications between inter-connected systems.

The Enterprise Services Bus is more than just technology integration layer: delivering the Enterprise Services Bus is a development approach for defining a Services Oriented Architecture. The actual technologies required to support loosely-coupled, asynchronous interactions that are needed for delivery a Services Oriented Architecture should be considered as a Foundation Capability as it is required for delivery of many contemporary solutions. The Enterprise Services Bus may involve both batch and event-based communications and include multiple transport technologies.