Denali Baseline
The Deos Denali Baseline differs from mainline in the following ways: 1) No 653 content/support; 2) Only tools, middleware & BSPs that work with the 7.6.2 Kernel; 3) preference for verified components.
What is a Baseline?
A baseline is a set of Deos components, some locked to specific versions - some not, for use by a specific set of customers. The concept being that as Deos mainline marches on, we (DDC-I) need a way to ensure that certain customers get upgrades to which their support contracts entitle them, yet do not get upgrades to verified components for which they have not paid.
For example, Hotdish is entitled to workstation tooling, Level-E Deos Supplied apps, and reference BSP upgrades for as long as they maintain a support contract. However, they are not entitled to an upgrade to the Deos Kernel (or other verified components) without an explicit purchase.
From the above one can foresee a compatibility problem. As the High DAL components (e.g., the Kernel) implement features leveraged by Workstation tooling or other Level-E support apps/BSPs, then the number of components in the baseline that are locked to a specific version increases. One can envision a time when all components in a baseline may be locked (e.g., a customer continues to maintain support "forever").
Why a specific set of components? Well, one reason is the above (i.e., compatibility) the other reason is business. Maintaining support gives you access to upgrades, not access to new High DAL components. For example, if we came out with a File System that was compatibility with the 7.6.2 Kernel, Hotdish would have to buy the File System to use it. They would not get it as part of their support.
Why are Baselines Named?
Since a baseline defines a specific set of individually versioned components, some floating, some locked to specific version numbers, any particular version number (say, the Kernel's) is inaccurate when describing the whole (i.e., only one of a dozen components matches that version number). Also, over time, the set of components that are locked will change. Thus it is easier to have a name and a version string (i.e., Denali-20110607 vs. 7.6.2-20110607). Finally, names are easier for humans to use/remember.
What Happened to Musical Trains?
The sequenced musical theme for naming trains still applies to the set of DDS components in a Deos customer's release. It just that specific Deos customers, depending on where they are in our customer life cycle, need different Deos content. So the train name is inadequate when describing the entire set of components in a DDS release (i.e., it can be used to describe the set of non-Deos components only).
For example, the Hotdish program needs the latest musical train with the Deos Denali baseline, while the FooBar program needs the latest and greatest musical train with our latest and greatest Deos mainline component offering. In other words, legacy Deos programs need their legacy stuff in the latest train while new customers needs new stuff (i.e., releases are customer specific based upon their purchases and timeline).
Why Denali?
OK, so musical trains tell us part of the story and some other name gives us the rest of the story. I get it. By why Denali (a mountain) and why start at "D"?
When picking names for releases/baselines it is common (and useful for humans) to pick a theme (e.g., music, mountains, etc.). This way, when someone hears the name Chopin, they think music and can associate that with the non-Deos components of a DDS release. When they hear the name Denali, they think mountain and can associate that with the Deos components in a DDS release. In other words, themes help increase comprehension and reference/decipher time in the human brain.
OK, I get the different themes - why start at "D"? When Deos was at Honeywell, names where used for baselines. No names where used that started with a letter which sorts greater than "D". Therefore, a name starting with "D" has been picked in order to provide sequencing. As future baselines are needed, the theme and sequencing will remain intact (for as long as practical). Perhaps the next Deos baseline will be Everest in order for us to readily recognize that we are talking about a Deos baseline that followed Denali.
