Towards automated dependability analysis of dynamically connected syste

Masci P., Martinucci M., Di Giandomenico F.

Metrics  Stochastic modelling  Autonomous systems interoperation  Automated dependability analysis 

Dynamic environments may include autonomous and decentralised components that pose many challenges from the point of view of interoperability, thus triggering research studies in several directions. One of these challenges is the investigation of the automatic composition of heterogeneous systems willing to communicate, by synthesising at run-time the connectors that allow interoperation. Besides functional properties, synthesised connectors generally need to satisfy also non-functional (dependability-related) properties. This paper investigates the definition of an automated procedure to support the synthesis of dependable connectors. Index Terms Stochastic modelling, autonomous systems interoperation, automated dependability analysis. I. INTRODUCTION Ubiquitous computing refers to a vision of technology where devices are seamlessly integrated in the environment and everyone benefits from their services without even being aware of their presence [1]. In such a vision, complex and pervasive systems are expected to be composed of autonomous and decentralised components that cooperate or require services on the basis of specific needs. Pervasive systems may evolve along time, rely on heterogeneous communication protocols, and dynamically establish communication at run-time. The fast pace at which technology evolves continuously undermines the effectiveness of such systems because ubiquitous systems components need to exchange information, but this ability is generally linked to the level of interoperability of their underlying technologies.

Source: ISTI Technical reports, 2010