A Framework for Execution Environments in 2K
Dulcineia Carvalho, Roy Campbell, Dennis Mickunas · 2000
Computer users are increasingly multi-device, and are no longer sedentary. Computing systems have evolved from single-user and time-shared computing to complex systems spanning distributed heterogeneous hardware and software platforms. Applications require not only a set of computing and communication resources but also sustainable levels of quality of service. It is desirable that computation occur in environments that are at once customizable to the user preferences, to the characteristics of the host computing systems, and to the applications service requirements. This paper describes a framework for managing execution environments in 2K , an adaptable, distributed, network-centric, user- and application-oriented operating system aimed at accommodating change. A 2K environment is a container of components, devices and con guration parameters and provides an execution context for users within the 2K distributed system. A user has an execution environment that consists of several subenvironments running on different platforms, possibly suspended to be resumed later. The management of the execution environments is designed to provide a user-centric view of the system; it facilitates user mobility, by liberating users from the restriction of being explicitly attached to specific platforms, and by seamlessly recruiting resources where they are available. Mechanisms for distribution and interaction of environments are provided by event management in aggregated structures, and protocols for update and consistency of replicated structures.