Self-Healing Distributed Scheduling Platform

International audienceDistributed systems require effective mechanisms to manage the reliable provisioning of computational resources from different and distributed providers. Moreover, the dynamic environment that affects the behaviour of such systems and the complexity of these dynamics demand autonomous capabilities to ensure the behaviour of distributed scheduling platforms and to achieve business and user objectives. In this paper we propose a self-adaptive distributed scheduling platform composed of multiple agents implemented as intelligent feedback control loops to support policy-based scheduling and expose self-healing capabilities. Our platform leverages distributed scheduling processes by (i) allowing each provider to maintain its own internal scheduling process, and (ii) implementing self-healing capabilities based on agent module recovery. Simulated tests are performed to determine the optimal number of agents to be used in the negotiation phase without affecting the scheduling cost function. Test results on a real-life platform are presented to evaluate recovery times and optimize platform parameters

A Framework for Evaluating Quality-Driven Self-Adaptive Software Systems

International audienceOver the past decade the dynamic capabilities of self-adaptive software-intensive systems have proliferated and improved significantly. To advance the field of self-adaptive and self-managing systems further and to leverage the benefits of self-adaptation, we need to develop methods and tools to assess and possibly certify adaptation properties of self-adaptive systems, not only at design time but also, and especially, at run-time. In this paper we propose a framework for evaluating quality-driven self-adaptive software systems. Our framework is based on a survey of self-adaptive system papers and a set of adaptation properties derived from control theory properties. We also establish a mapping between these properties and software quality attributes. Thus, corresponding software quality metrics can then be used to assess adaptation properties

DYNAMICO: A Reference Model for Governing Control Objectives and Context Relevance in Self-Adaptive Software Systems

International audienceDespite the valuable contributions on self-adaptation, most implemented approaches assume adaptation goals and monitoring infrastructures as non-mutable, thus constraining their applicability to systems whose context awareness is restricted to static monitors. Therefore, separation of concerns, dynamic monitoring, and runtime requirements variability are critical for satisfying system goals under highly changing environments. In this chapter we present DYNAMICO, a reference model for engineering adaptive software that helps guaranteeing the coherence of (i) adaptation mechanisms with respect to changes in adaptation goals; and (ii) monitoring mechanisms with respect to changes in both adaptation goals and adaptation mechanisms. DYNAMICO improves the engineering of self-adaptive systems by addressing (i) the management of adaptation properties and goals as control objectives; (ii) the separation of concerns among feedback loops required to address control objectives over time; and (iii) the management of dynamic context as an independent control function to preserve context-awareness in the adaptation mechanism

QPLEX: Realizing the Integration of Quantum Computing into Combinatorial Optimization Software

Quantum computing has the potential to surpass the capabilities of current classical computers when solving complex problems. Combinatorial optimization has emerged as one of the key target areas for quantum computers as problems found in this field play a critical role in many different industrial application sectors (e.g., enhancing manufacturing operations or improving decision processes). Currently, there are different types of high-performance optimization software (e.g., ILOG CPLEX and Gurobi) that support engineers and scientists in solving optimization problems using classical computers. In order to utilize quantum resources, users require domain-specific knowledge of quantum algorithms, SDKs and libraries, which can be a limiting factor for any practitioner who wants to integrate this technology into their workflows. Our goal is to add software infrastructure to a classical optimization package so that application developers can interface with quantum platforms readily when setting up their workflows. This paper presents a tool for the seamless utilization of quantum resources through a classical interface. Our approach consists of a Python library extension that provides a backend to facilitate access to multiple quantum providers. Our pipeline enables optimization software developers to experiment with quantum resources selectively and assess performance improvements of hybrid quantum-classical optimization solutions.Comment: Accepted for the IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE) 202

Aspectos claves en la definición y adopción de estándares de interoperabilidad electrónica de datos : El caso de HL7 en el área de la salud

This article presents the results of the analysis that the DRISO research group has conducted about some as­pects which have been found as criti­cal in the process of definition and adoption of standards for exchange of electronic data, in the context of the HL7 standard for interoperability in health. For each considered aspect, its potential contribution to a stan­dard for semantic interoperability is identified, as well as how it is used in the modeling of the objects to ex­change, and in the modeling of the exchange process itself. The analysis of the critical aspects of standards is done following the line of the evolu­tion of HL7 standard, identifying and distinguishing their structural and dynamic aspects. Finally, as a matter of conclusion, a reflection about the applicability of this analysis to the Colombian Ministry of Communica­tions GEL-XML project, for electronic data exchange of basic data in all sectors of the economy.A partir de la revisión de distintos estándares de interoperabilidad electrónica de datos que ha realizado el grupo de investigación DRISO de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Icesi, en un esfuerzo conjunto con la Fundación HL7 Colombia, se presenta en este artículo un análisis de algunos aspectos que se han identificado como claves en el proceso de definición y adopción de estándares para el intercambio de información electrónica, previstos en el contexto del estándar de interoperabilidad en salud, HL7. Para cada aspecto considerado, se identifica su contribución potencial a un estándar de interoperabilidad semántica, y cómo se utiliza en el modelamiento, tanto de los objetos a intercambiar, como del proceso de intercambio. Este análisis, además se contextualiza sobre la evolución que ha seguido HL7 en sus distintas versiones, identificando los aspectos estructurales y dinámicos en el estándar.Finalmente, a manera de conclusión, se hace una reflexión de la aplicabilidad del análisis realizado, a proyectos de definición de estándares de interoperabilidad como el proyecto GEL-XML (Gobierno en Línea – XML) del Ministerio de Comunicaciones, que pretende definir un estándar de interoperabilidad para los datos básicos de todos los sectores de la economía colombiana

Methodological Aspects of the hl7v3 Adoption in Colombia: The Experience of the Clinical Laboratory Tests Technical Committee

El Comité Técnico de Caso de Uso (CTCU) de Órdenes y Resultados de Laboratorio Clínico fue el primer Comité Técnico que inició actividades en la Fundación HL7 Colombia y el primero en proponer estándares HL7 adaptados para Colombia. El trabajo colaborativo entre sus miembros ha sido la base para la definición de las guías de implementación de los casos de uso de Resultados y de Órdenes de Laboratorio. Adicionalmente, como CTCU pionero en el país, realizó una propuesta de guía de guías, es decir, un estándar para la definición de guías de implementación que se basen en CDA (Clinical Document Architecture). Este artículo presenta un recuento de la evolución de los sistemas de información de salud en Colombia y de los primeros pasos que se han dado en la adopción del estándar internacional HL7; se describe la metodología empleada para el desarrollo y la adaptación de las primeras guías de implementación HL7.The clinical laboratory orders and results was the first Use Case Technical Committee (UCTC) which began operations in Colombia and the first one in proposing HL7 adapted standards for Colombia. The collaborative work among its members has been the basis for defining implementation guides for the clinical laboratory orders and results use cases. Additionally, as a pioneer UCTC in Colombia, it developed a guide-for guides proposal, i.e. a standard for defining implementation guides in any domain within the CDA scope. This article presents an overview of the evolution of health information systems in Colombia and the first steps that have been taken for the adoption of the HL7 international standard in the country. It also describes the methodology for the development and adaptation of the first HL7 implementation guides

Improving Context-Awareness in Self-Adaptation Using the DYNAMICO Reference Model

International audienceSelf-adaptation mechanisms modify target systems dynamically to address adaptation goals, which may evolve continuously due to changes in system requirements. These changes affect values and thresholds of observed context variables and monitoring logic, or imply the addition and/or deletion of context variables, thus compromising self-adaptivity effectiveness under static monitoring infrastructures. Nevertheless, self-adaptation approaches often focus on adapting target systems only rather than monitoring infrastructures. Previously, we proposed DYNAMICO, a reference model for self-adaptive systems where adaptation goals and monitoring requirements change dynamically. This paper presents an implementation of DYNAMICO comprising our SMARTERCONTEXT monitoring infrastructure and QOS-CARE adaptation framework in a self-adaptation solution that maintains its context-awareness relevance. To evaluate our reference model we use self-adaptive system properties and the Znn.com exemplar to compare the Rainbow system with our DYNAMICO implementation. The results of the evaluation demonstrate the applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness of DYNAMICO, especially for self-adaptive systems with context-awareness requirements

On Designing Self-Adaptive Software Systems

Ante condiciones cambiantes del entorno, los sistemas autoadaptativos pueden modificarse a sí mismos para controlar la satisfacción de sus requerimientos en tiempo de ejecución. Durante el siglo pasado los sistemas de retroalimentación fueron importantes modelos para controlar el comportamiento dinámico de sistemas mecánicos, eléctricos, de fluidos y químicos, en sus respectivos campos de la ingeniería. Más recientemente fueron adoptados para diseñar software autoadaptativo. No obstante, lograr mapeos coherentes y explícitos consistentemente entre las arquitecturas de software adaptativo y los elementos de sistemas de retroalimentación es aún un reto abierto. Este artículo, sobre un modelo de referencia propuesto con ese propósito, discute aspectos clave del diseño de software autoadaptativo, en que los elementos de sistemas de retroalimentación se definen explícitamente como componentes de primer nivel en su arquitectura. Adicionalmente, ilustra la aplicación de este modelo de referencia a un ejemplo real de software adaptativo. El artículo ofrece a los ingenieros de software un punto de referencia para iniciar el diseño de software autoadaptativo.Self-adaptive systems modify themselves at run-time in order to control the satisfaction of their requirements under changing environmental conditions. Over the past century, feedback-loops have been used as important models for controlling dynamic behavior of mechanical, electrical, fluid and chemical systems in the corresponding fields of engineering. More recently, they also have been adopted for engineering self-adaptive software systems. However, obtaining sound and explicit mappings consistently between adaptive software architectures and feedback loop elements is still an open challenge. This paper, recalling a reference model proposed previously with that goal, discuss key aspects on the design of adaptive software where feedback loop elements are explicitly defined as first-class components in its software architecture. It complements this discussion with an illustration of the process to use this reference model by applying it to a plausible adaptive software example. This paper aims at providing a reference starting point to support software engineers in the process of designing self-adaptive software systems

Análisis descriptivo del proceso de implementación del nivel 2 del modelo CMMI en una empresa regional de desarrollo de software

CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) is basically a continu­ous-improvement inspired model to classify software development organizations according to a five-level maturity and capability scale. The classification in a given level is based on the dominance that an organization shows evidence to have over the areas of that level, which in turn reflects the degree of maturity of the organization and of the processes that it follows to develop software. This article presents a preliminary descriptive analysis of a level 2 implementation process of the CMMI model in a Colombian software devel­opment company, making an overall presentation of how it was brought into practice the theory of the model in the processes of the company, to be compliant with the conditions, goals and practices defined in the level 2 process areas of the model. The arti­cle also describes the problems which arose in the execution of the project, as well as how they were solved. As preliminary results are presented some of the indicators defined by the company for the software processes, and the software tools that were ac­quired or developed for the support of the implementation of the process areas. Finally, some conclusions and recommendations which can be found of use and application are given for similar projects.El Modelo de Capacidad y Madurez (Capability Maturity Model Integration, CMMI), es un modelo inspirado en el mejoramiento continuo que permite clasificar a las organizaciones de desarrollo de software según una escala de cinco niveles de madurez y capacidad. La clasificación en un determinado nivel se realiza sobre la base del dominio que una organización evidencia tener acerca de las áreas de proceso de dicho nivel, lo cual a su vez refleja el grado de madurez de la misma y de los procesos que ella realiza para desarrollar software. En este artículo se presenta un análisis descriptivo preliminar del proceso de implementación del nivel 2 del modelo CMMI en una empresa regional de desarrollo de software, exponiendo de manera general cómo se realizó la aplicación de la teoría del modelo en los procesos requeridos para cumplir con las condiciones, metas y prácticas de las áreas de proceso del nivel 2 del modelo, así como los problemas e inconvenientes presentados en la ejecución del proyecto, junto con sus respectivas soluciones. A modo de resultados preliminares, se presentan algunos de los indicadores definidos por la empresa para esos procesos, las herramientas de apoyo que se adquirieron o desarrollaron para la implementación de las áreas de proceso. Finalmente, se dan algunas conclusiones y recomendaciones de aplicación que pueden ser útiles para proyectos similares

A Framework for Automated and Composable Testing of Component-based Services

International audienceThe vision of service-oriented computing has been largely developed on the fundamental principle of building systems by composing and orchestrating services in their flow of control. Therefore, software development is nowadays notably influenced by service-oriented architectures (SOAs), in which the quality of software systems is determined by the quality of the involved services and their actual composition. Despite the efforts on improving their individual quality, adding or replacing services in an evolving system can introduce failures, thus compromising the satisfaction of the system's functional and extra-functional requirements, which is translated as a lack of trust in the SOA vision. Thus, a key issue for the industrial adoption of SOA is providing service providers, integrators, and consumers the means to build confidence that services behave according to the contracted quality conditions. In this paper we present a first version of PASCANI, a framework for specifying and executing automated, composable, and traceable test specifications for service-oriented systems. From a test specification, PASCANI generates a configuration of testing services compliant with the Service Component Architecture (SCA) specification, that can be composed to integrate different testing strategies, being their tests traceable in an automated way. Our evaluation results show the applicability of the framework and a substantial gain in the tester's effort for developing tests