Abstract
This contribution pr s nts the concept of a secure implementation of a distributed, web-based electronic design framework. Our two-tier client-webserver-toolserver architecture for collaborative, distributed design development. In the sample application of the framework, developed in Java, any of the servers can be based on Linux, MS Windows or Sun-SPARC Java-servlet enabled server. The feasibility of a secure, web-based design framework has been sufficiently proved. The technological approach used to do this involves the use of novel, yet tried and tested methods, taking where appropriate from the rapidly advancing field of e-commerce solutions.