Multitier Portal Architecture for Thin- and Thick-client Neutron Scattering Experiment Support

Integration of emerging technologies and design patterns into the three-tier client-server architecture is required in order to provide a scalable and flexible architecture for novice to sophisticated portal user groups. The ability to provide user customizable portal interfaces is rapidly becoming commonplace and is driving the expectations of researchers and scientists in the scientific community. This paper describes an architectural design that maximizes information technology service reuse while providing a customizable user interface that scales with user sophistication and requirements. The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory provides a state-of-the-art facility ideal for implementation of this infrastructure. The SNS Java-based Science Portal (Tier I) and Open Grid Computing Environment (Tier II) provide thin-client support whereas the GumTree Eclipse Rich Client Platform (Tier III) and Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (Tier IV) provide thickclient support within a multitier portal architecture. Each tier incorporates all of the features of the previous tiers while adding new capabilities based on the user requirements.