An approach to interoperation between autonomous database systems

In this paper we present an approach to support interoperation between autonomous database systems. In particular, we concentrate on distributed information discovery and access for systems with a large number of databases. We avoid the need for integrated global schemas or centralized structures containing information on the available data and its location. We instead provide an architecture that supports data distribution, autonomy and heterogeneity. The architecture also supports system evolution by the addition and removal of databases. A distributed information discovery algorithm is provided to perform data requests, database location and data access. A feature of our approach is to distribute the information about database contents using simple hierarchical information structures composed of special terms. A prototype has been developed to demonstrate and evaluate the approach. A hospital case study is used to illustrate its feasibility and applicability.