The Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) is a software system developed in 1990s by a consortium that included Apollo Computer, IBM, Digital Equipment Corporation, and others.

Major components

Major components of DCE within every cell are:

The Security Server that is responsible for authentication

The Cell Directory Server (CDS) that is the repository of resources and ACLs and

The Distributed Time Server that provides an accurate clock for proper functioning of the entire cell

About the DCE

The OSF Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) is an industry-standard, vendor-neutral set of distributed computing technologies.

DCE is deployed in critical business environments by a large number of enterprises worldwide.

It is a mature product with three major releases, and is the only middleware system with a comprehensive security model.

DCE provides a complete Distributed Computing Environment infrastructure.

DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) definition

1.) In network computing, DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) is an industry-standard software technology for setting up and managing computing and data exchange in a system of distributed computers

2) In computer data transmission, DCE (Data Communication Equipment) is the RS-232C interface that a modem or other serial device uses in exchanging data with the computer.