Mark Wallis

Expanding the Cloud: A Component-Based Architecture to Application Deployment on the Internet

Cloud Computing allows us to abstract distributed, elastic IT resources behind an interface that promotes scalability and dynamic resource allocation. The boundary of this cloud sits outside the application and the hardware that hosts it. For the end user, a web application deployed on a cloud is presented no differently to a web application deployed on a stand-alone web server. This model works well for web applications but fails to cater for distributed applications containing components that execute both locally for the user and remotely using non-local resources. This research proposes extending the concept of the cloud to encompass not only server-farm resources but all resources accessible by the user. This brings the resources of the home PC and personal mobile devices into the cloud and promotes the deployment of highly-distributed component based applications with fat user interfaces. This promotes the use of the Internet itself as a platform. We compare this to the standard Web 2.0 approach and show the benefits that deploying fat-client component based systems provide over classic web applications. We also describe the benefits that expanding the cloud provides to component migration and resources utilisation.

Persistent systems techniques in forensic acquisition of memory

In this paper we discuss how operating system design and implementation influence the methodology for computer forensics investigations, with the focus on forensic acquisition of memory. In theory the operating system could support such investigations both in terms of tools for analysis of data and by making the system data readily accessible for analysis. Conventional operating systems such as Windows and UNIX derivatives offer some memory-related tools that are geared towards the analysis of system crashes, rather than forensic investigations. In this paper we demonstrate how techniques developed for persistent operating systems, where lifetime of data is independent of the method of its creation and storage, could support computer forensics investigations delivering higher efficiency and accuracy. It is proposed that some of the features offered by persistent systems could be built into conventional operating systems to make illicit activities easier to identify and analyse. We further propose a new technique for forensically sound acquisition of memory based on the persistence paradigm.

A Distributed Content Storage Model for Web Applications

Vast quantities of information is now being stored online. Web applications currently rely on monolithic storage structures which place the sole responsibility of data storage, protection and maintenance on the web application provider. This research introduces the concept of a de-centralised approach for information storage online. Distributed storage techniques are used to address concerns with the classic monolithic approach while also addressing issues such as data ownership concerns for personal information. The research results in the presentation on an API that allows distributed storage of information with seamless integration of data into the traditional Web 2.0 model.

A System for Robust Peer-to-Peer Communication with Dynamic Protocol Selection

Continued growth in peer-to-peer (P2P) networking is introducing new challenges for network designers and administrators. P2P communication is no longer the sole domain of the home-based, technically savvy user. Instead, corporations are now starting to investigate the use of P2P communication as a valid technology for distributing data to a large user base. Existing network protocols that support P2P communication, such as UPnP, do not scale well to larger corporate and institutional networks. This paper introduces a new, dynamic system that is capable of supporting P2P communication in a large array of networks designs ranging from smaller home networks to larger corporate networks that contain multiple layers of firewalls and proxies.

Development of an online smoking cessation program for use in hospital and following discharge: smoke-free recovery

Background Tobacco smoking can have negative health outcomes on recovery from surgery. Although it is recommended best practice to provide patients with advice to quit and follow-up support, provision of post-discharge support is rare. Developing an online smoking cessation program may help address this gap. Objectives This paper describes the development and pretesting of an online smoking cessation program (smoke-free recovery, SFR) tailored to the orthopaedic trauma population for use while in hospital and post-discharge. Methods Drawing on the DoTTI framework for developing an online program, the following steps were followed for program development: (1) design and development; (2) testing early iteration; (3) testing for effectiveness and (4) integration and implementation. This article describes the first two stages of SFR program development. Results SFR is a 10-module online smoking cessation program tailored for patients with orthopaedic trauma. Of the participants who completed testing early iterations, none reported any difficulties orientating themselves to the program or understanding program content. The main themes were that it was ‘helpful’, provision of ‘help to quit’ was low and SFR increased thoughts of ‘staying quit post-discharge’. Conclusions This study found that a theory and evidence-based approach as the basis for an online smoking cessation program for patients with orthopaedic trauma was acceptable to users. A randomised controlled trial will be conducted to examine whether the online smoking cessation program is effective in increasing smoking cessation and how it can be integrated and implemented into hospital practice (stages three and four of the DoTTI framework).

Web-based Support for Population-based Medical Research

This paper discusses the needs of medical researchers working in the area of patient-centred medicine, in particular their use of survey data in measuring patient opinions, needs, perceived quality of care received, and priorities of health service interventions. Until quite recently, collection of survey data has been either paper-based, or achieved using computer software that largely duplicated paper-based processes with limited additional functionality. The authors investigate the use of web-based technology to support collection of such data from patients, including experiences and observations on enhanced/additional functionality made possible by its adoption. A novel software design termed QuON is presented, together with examples of its capabilities and uses in current research projects.

Agent-Oriented Smart Factory (AOSF): An MAS Based Framework for SMEs Under Industry 4.0

For the concept of Industry 4.0 to come true, a mature amalgamation of allied technologies is obligatory, i.e. Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data analytics, Mobile Computing, Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) and Cloud Computing. With the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, proliferation in the field of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Smart Factory gave a boost to recent research in this dimension. Despite many autonomous frameworks contributed in this area, there are very few widely acceptable implementation frameworks, particularly for Small to Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) under the umbrella of Industry 4.0. This paper presents an Agent-Oriented Smart Factory (AOSF) framework, integrating the whole supply chain (SC), from supplier-end to customer-end. The AOSF framework presents an elegant mediating mechanism between multiple agents to increase robustness in decision making at the base level. Classification of agents, negotiation mechanism and few results from a test case are presented.

Peer-Based Complex Profile Management

The rising popularity of Web 2.0 applications has seen an increase in the volume of user-generated content. Web Applications allow users to define policies that specify how they wish their content to be accessed. In large Web 2.0 applications these policies can become quite complex, with users having to make decisions such as ‘who can access my image library?’, or ‘should my mobile number be made available to 3rd party agencies?’. As the policy size grows, the ability for everyday users to comprehend and manage their policy diminishes. This paper presents a model of policy configuration that harnesses the power of the Internet community by presenting average-sets of policy configuration. These policy “profiles” allow users to select a default set of policy values that line up with the average case, as presented by the application population. Policies can be promoted at an application level or at a group level. An XML approach is presented for representing the policy profiles. The approach allows for easy profile comparison and merging. A storage mechanism is also presented that describes how these policies should be made persistent in a distributed data storage system.

Application Based Meta Tagging of Network Connections

Modern operating systems offer a large array of features in their network subsystems that support fine-grained access control, monitoring and accounting. Such features allow a system administrator to account and filter outgoing network connections based on attributes such as the destination IP address and port number of the connection. With the increase in multi-user systems such as grid networks and shared Web hosting, the complexity of these tasks has increased. Current operating systems lack the ability to determine the intent of a network connection based on the connections technical characteristics alone. This paper presents a new mechanism by which applications themselves are given the ability to pass meta information to the network subsystem, allowing it to take advantage of application specific data.