The Nclaves system consists of two main parts - a backend engine, operated on central servers, and an end-user application that is executed on the user's personal computer. The following diagram shows an overview of the system architecture.

The end-user application is OS-neutral, which allows us to support different users, independent of what type of personal computer they have.

Nclaves is a composite, Service-Oriented Application (SOA) that is delivered using a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. It applies concepts of social networking with a strong emphasis on exclusivity, and allows access to devices attached to a personal computer.

Nclaves uses a number of web services internally. It can also access external web services that are made available by third-party service providers (e.g., city local temperatures).

Nclaves uses the standards based software such as:

• Jive for instant messaging
• JMF for audio-visual conferencing
• MySQL for database engine.
  

Nclaves has a desktop-style, easy-to-use interface, unlike a typical web page. The rich client is implemented entirely in Java and is therefore available on many different personal computers such as Linux, MacOSX and Windows. The rich client is delivered on demand using Apsora's Gladius technology.

The Gladius technology allows applications to be streamed on demand from a centrally hosted location to a local computer over the Internet to launch them there. This is an OS-independent, thin technology -- thin and flexible enough to be carried on and used from a simple USB drive. Gladius is currently available on many different types of personal computers such as Linux, MacOSX, and Windows.