Charles A. Milligan

Online storage virtualization: the key to managing the data explosion

High-value software functionality (such as virtual volume mapping, floating data positioning and snapshots) are key to the success of online data storage systems today and in the future. The introduction of new storage technologies that introduce advances in meta-data generation, interfaces, capacities and bandwidth without requiring installation upheaval is required. Virtualization is the mechanism that will allows the next generation of online storage to be seamlessly integrated. It also allows cost-sensitive installations to make use of alternative disk types, [such as commodity ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) drives instead of SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) or Fibre Channel drives], to be used effectively without requiring complex installation management. The principles of virtualization are described and some vendor options that incorporate these principles are discussed.

The application of network science principles to knowledge simulation

Current approaches to knowledge representation begin with the principles of logic and ontology that Aristotle initially introduced into history. These knowledge representation approaches focus on building systems that incorporate not only computational models, but also models that people can understand and analyze. Knowledge representation fidelity requires relationship richness of both relationship types and quantities. This paper introduces a new discipline entitled simulated knowledge. Simulated knowledge differs from knowledge representation in that simulated knowledge relaxes the requirements of human understanding while maintaining the capability for human interaction and emphasizing its computational capability. Also, instead of an Aristotelian foundation, knowledge simulation principles emphasize those of the new network science.

Data Assurance in a Conventional File Systems

The goal of this research is to find a mechanism to guarantee that a file stored in a conventional file system, on disk, has not been modified. Our proposal for achieving that goal is a smart card based DSFS (Digital Sealed File System). The main idea is to send only the hash value of a document to the SmartCard together with the unique document identification. After creation of public/private key pair and hash value encryption, SmartCard destroys private key. This yields a final signature and public key as output. Therefore, sending confidential key material from SmartCard to a system is completely avoided. Since hash value is small data, limited bandwidth to the card for transferring large documents for encryption is not a problem. However, there are some possible drawbacks of the proposed idea. An attacker is able to circumvent the signing process in SmartCard and to act as SigningTool. Moreover, publishing of public key is the issue of the DSFS architecture and public key distribution is too complex and unreliable solution. Here we describe a possibility of overcoming these problems.

KM/OM/OL systems and technologies

The systems and technologies mini track of the knowledge management, organizational memory and organizational learning research cluster addresses technical issues and tools for building and supporting knowledge management, organizational memory, and organizational learning systems. Sixteen papers were considered in this mini track. We wish to express our thanks to all of those authors who submitted their work. We would also like to thank the 31 individuals who gave their time and effort in providing reviews of the submitted manuscripts. The mini track could not exist without their diligent efforts. The six accepted papers describe both conceptual and working systems.