SI2 Desktop Client/Server is actually composed of several key enabling technologies that work together to support interoperability at several different levels.

• SI2 Certification, a rigorous program designed to validate standards compliance and interoperability.

• Automated client/server rendezvous techniques.

• The Design Representation Standard Programming Interface (DR PI), which specifies a standard method of accessing netlist information from a design regardless of the actual implementation of the underlying data repository.

• Use of ITC / Message Dictionary services to support negotiation of optimal bulk data transfer mechanisms among ECAD tools via standard messages in SI2's 2.0 Message Dictionary draft standard.

• Tool Encapsulation layers using SI2 TES 2.0, which defines a platform-independent method of representing a tool's function, input needs, and output capabilities, separate from the actual invocation of the tool, facilitating cross-platform installation, as well as flow management activities.

• An Extension Language Standard (2.0 draft) to extend reusability of integration "glueware" between tool clusters and across architectures.