David,

You have a couple different distribution options with .NET.  

Client/Server Model:
.NET Remoting (which is being replaced by WCF)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/webservices/remoting/default.aspx

Windows Communication Foundation
(WCF)http://msdn.microsoft.com/winfx/technologies/communication/default.aspx

SOA:
Web Services (http://msdn.microsoft.com/webservices/)

Grid Computing:
Digipede Technologies (http://www.digipede.net)  We're a Microsoft Gold
Certified Partner.

Cluster Computing (MPI, but .NET not supported with MPI)
Windows Compute Cluster Server
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/ccs/default.mspx

It all depends on what your distribution model is and what you are trying to
accomplish.  You'll find .NET distribution to be much easier and simplier
than COM+ distribution.

Kim Greenlee

David,

If you are not familiar with the principles of OO design, it would be
better to start from there, as it's something you will need. Apart from
that it, if you would like to invest time on learing COM+, it would be
a good thing to have a firm understanding of the .NET type system, the
differences of reference types vs value types and threading.

Because of the nature of the framework, by checking out the
afformentioned you will have a better understanding of what's happening
under the hood and you could proceed much faster learning the COM+
specific API.

Regards,
Tasos