Policy-based management of middleware for distributed sensor applications.

ABSTRACTContemporary distributed software systems have become extremely heterogeneous, dynamic and large-scale. They include back-end servers, regular PCs and various mobile and embedded devices, as well as diverse network infrastructures, such as sensor networks. However, these factors make manual management of the distributed system and its installed software extremely complex. In this position paper we seek for an architectural solution for a middleware that supports autonomic management of these distributed software systems through a policy-based approach. This middleware architecture suggests the introduction of a closed control loop on top of a highly customizable middleware architecture. We describe the key research challenges that still remain open for discussion and propose a plan to tackle them.