I am currently looking into different ways to support distributed model objects (i.e., a computational model that runs on several different computers) in a project that initially focuses on MacOS X (using Cocoa). As far as I know there is the possibility to use the class cluster around NSProxy. But there also seem to be implementations of CORBA around with Objective-C support.

At a later time there may be the need to also support/include Windows machines. In that case I would need to use something like Gnustep on the Windows side (which may be an option, if it works well) or come up with a combination of both technologies. Or write something manually (which is, of course, the least desirable option).

My questions are:

1. If you have experience with both technologies (Cocoa native infrastructure vs. CORBA) can you point out some key features/issues of either approach?

2. Is it possible to use Gnustep with Cocoa in the way explained above?

3. Is it possible (and reasonably feasible, i.e. simpler than writing a network layer manually) to communicate among all MacOS clients using Cocoa's technology and with Windows clients through CORBA?