Communication protocols in XVSM-design and implementation

Abstract

In a distributed environment especially in space-based computing, a large number of heterogeneous devices interact together.<br />Examples for such devices are the widespread and well known desktop PC, servers but also mobile devices such as handhelds or smart phones. These are based on different technologies and usually pose different requirements on the programming paradigms and tools. Simply picking a middleware only provides limited support for overcoming the problems of needed network support and the heterogeneity of end user devices.<br />Usually a specific kind of programming language, hardware interfacing device, or software technology must be available on the end user device.<br />The communication in XVSM (extensible virtual shared memory) is defined as open and language independent protocol. This protocol is specified by using the publicly available and well-established standard XML Schema.<br />This allows the decoupling of the XVSM core (XCore) implementation from the client application and the end user device characteristics, which results in an easier to use, and more adaptable space-based middleware.<br />This thesis discusses the design and implementation of the MozartSpaces (an open-source Java based implementation of the XVSM) and the development of the XML Communication Protocol.