A semantic interoperability framework for software as a service systems in cloud computing environments

In cloud computing environments in software as a service (SaaS) level, interoperability refers to the ability of SaaS systems on one cloud provider to communicate with SaaS systems on another cloud provider. One of the most important barriers to the adoption of SaaS systems in cloud computing environments is interoperability. A common tactic for enabling interoperability is the use of an interoperability framework or model. During the past few years, in cloud SaaS level, various interoperability frameworks and models have been developed to provide interoperability between systems. The syntactic interoperability of SaaS systems have already been intensively researched. However, not enough consideration has been given to semantic interoperability issues. Achieving semantic interoperability is a challenge within the world of SaaS in cloud computing environments. Therefore, a semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments is needed. We develop a semantic interoperability framework for cloud SaaS systems. The capabilities and value of service oriented architecture for semantic interoperability within cloud SaaS systems have been studied and demonstrated. This paper is accomplished through a number of steps (research methodology). It begins with a study on related works in the literature. Then, problem statement and research objectives are explained. In the next step, semantic interoperability requirements for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments that are needed to support are analyzed. The details of the proposed semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments are presented. It includes the design of the proposed semantic interoperability framework. Finally, the evaluation methods of the semantic interoperability framework are elaborated. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments, extensive experimentation and statistical analysis have been performed. The experiments and statistical analysis specify that the proposed semantic interoperability framework for cloud SaaS systems is able to establish semantic interoperability between cloud SaaS systems in a more efficient way. It is concluded that using the proposed framework, there is a significant improvement in the effectiveness of semantic interoperability of SaaS systems in cloud computing environments.     

Interoperability test suite derivation for communication protocols

This paper addresses the problem of interoperability testing for communication protocols. We develop a coherent framework of interoperability testing in which the notions of interoperability, interoperability testing, interoperability test case and interoperability test architecture are interrelated and a systematic interoperability test suite derivation method based on the framework. The approach to interoperability testing is illustrated with the example of the ATM Signaling Protocol. To demonstrate practicality of the approach, we implemented executable test suites derived by the method on a commercial ATM test platform, applied them for interoperability testing of various ATM equipment and analyzed the testing results.     

Toward a business model reference for interoperability services

The importance of interoperability for businesses is undoubted. After an evolution from electronic data interchange to interoperability in electronic business and enterprise interoperability both the scientific and the practitioners’ community are today discussing the notion of interoperability service utilities. Furthermore, researchers are studying decentralized and distributed interoperability approaches such as peer-to-peer networks, for example. However, a comprehensive investigation of business models for such decentralized approaches to interoperability is still missing. Drawing from recent literature on business modeling on the one hand and interoperability research on the other hand this paper designs a business model reference for interoperability services. The business model reference assumes interoperability information as an economic good and is applied in two case studies and evaluated from multiple perspectives. The paper contributes to the scientific body of knowledge as it proposes a novel design artifact which lays the foundation for a number of future research opportunities.     

GIS互操作研究

首先分析了GIS（Geographic Information System）互操作,指出GIS互操作应包括GIS数据互操作和GIS处理功能互操作两个方面。GIS数据互操作采用GML（Geography Markup Language,地理标记语言）编码可以较好地实现;而通过对组件GIS思想的扩展和对组件注册模型的分析,GIS处理功能互操作以地理信息服务的形式出现。最后提出了采用Java技术构建的GIS互操作模型的系统结构。     

A federated approach to develop enterprise interoperability

Interoperability is one of the requisite features for existing enterprises in the increasing competitive and complex global market. In the last decade, enterprise interoperability has been developed and prescribed by various kinds of frameworks, methods, and techniques. However interoperability development is still not mature enough to become a science. Meanwhile, it keeps evolving according to different business requirement and market environment. Nowadays, networked environment causes unpredictable dynamical situations, thus sustainable interoperability becomes a new research dimension in the interoperability of enterprise systems and applications domain. In the sustainable interoperability, enterprise interoperability dynamics is one of the focal topics. This dynamic approach also called federated is originated from Enterprise Interoperability Framework of INTEROP NoE, which aims to establish interoperability on the fly. This paper presents current state on federated approaches to develop enterprise interoperability dynamics. Based on this study, a novel Federated interoperability approach is proposed. It aims at bridging the gap from interoperability concepts to the implementation of interoperable enterprise information systems development. This approach reuses distributed simulation interoperability concepts to facilitate and coordinate the communication between heterogeneous distributed information systems of the enterprises. This simulation part has been implemented into a software platform. This platform is complaint with the latest version of the high level architecture that is a distributed communication standard. This approach also proposes a development lifecycle that intends to reuse existing information systems without recoding them but by adapting them to the new requirements of interoperability dynamics.     

A generic interoperability testing framework and a systematic development process for automated interoperability testing

Interoperability is a prerequisite to allow users to access systems implemented by different vendors seamlessly. A good baseline to achieve interoperability is the implementation of a common set of standards. However, this is often not sufficient as different implementations of a standard are not necessarily interoperable. Therefore, different implementations of systems need to be assessed for interoperability by applying interoperability testing. In this article, we present a generic framework that enables automated interoperability testing with message checks, which assess the compliance of messages exchanged between systems. The goal of this framework is the provision of a basic functionality of interoperability test entities, the definition of a generic interoperability test environment, and guidelines for the specification of automated interoperability tests. The framework also considers aspects related to interoperability testing including verdicts, automation, and limitations of the system under test. Through the application of the framework, interoperability of systems can be assessed, systems can be validated, and standards can be improved. In addition, we present a systematic development process for automated interoperability tests to formalize the development and specification of an interoperability test system. We also consider aspects and critical issues, which are important for the development of a complete interoperability test system. The framework and the process are language and system technology independent. We present their application in a case study that includes interoperability tests for the Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) using the Testing and Test Control Notation Version 3 (TTCN-3).     

数字图书馆网格互操作框架

随着全球数字图书馆(DLs)的迅猛发展,互操作成为亟待解决的重要问题。目前DLs互操作的主要解决方案包括:分布式搜索、元数据收集、中间件技术等,在实现大规模的数字图书馆互操作方面都存在一定的局限性。文章通过对已有方案的分析和对比,指出各自的优势和不足,并在OAI-PMH框架的基础上,结合先进的网格技术,提出全新的数字图书馆互操作框架—数字图书馆网格DLGrid,为解决大规模数字图书馆的互操作提供一种新途径。     

A survey on the service interoperability in cloud computing: Client-centric and provider-centric perspectives

The vendor lock-in is a prominent issue in cloud computing. It is caused by cloud providers who offer proprietary services, which hinders the cloud interoperability. Client-centric interoperability enables the migration of the data and applications across clouds; it gives the clients control over their workloads and a wider range of service choices. Whereas, provider-centric interoperability allows the providers to collaborate. Thus, providers, who have spare resources, can lend them to other providers who lack computational or storage capabilities to overcome the limitations of their local resources. In this article, we conduct a survey to differentiate between client- and provider-centric interoperability solutions. We aim to provide an up-to-date analysis of the current tendencies and the neglected areas of the cloud interoperability field. Thus, we study the cloud service interoperability evolution through the years. Furthermore, we propose definitions for the intra-cloud and inter-cloud interoperability. Moreover, we propose a taxonomy to classify the cloud interoperability approaches into client-centric and provider-centric categories. Then, for each category, we classify the approaches based on their interoperability environment into single cloud or interconnected clouds. Finally, we analyze and compare the approaches based on multiple criteria. The study reveals the focus on the client-centric solutions and the interoperability in interconnected clouds. We notice more interest in the data and application levels interoperability, mainly, in infrastructure as a service model. We also find that client-centric solutions are, mostly, semantic technologies and brokers. However, provider-centric solutions are middleware, protocols, and standards. We conclude that a generic cloud service interoperability model is needed.     

A review of interoperability assessment models

Interoperability is the ability of systems to provide services to and accept services from other systems, and to use the services exchanged so as to operate together in a more effective manner. The fact that interoperability can be improved means that the metrics for measuring interoperability can be defined. For the purpose of measuring the interoperability between systems, an interoperability assessment model is required. This paper deals with the existing interoperability assessment models. A compara- tive analysis among these models is provided to evaluate the similarities and differences in their philosophy and implementation. The analysis yields a set of recommendations for any party that is open to the idea of creating or improving an interoperability assessment model.     

Interoperability evaluation models: A systematic review

Interoperability is defined as the ability for two (or more) systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged. There is increasing demand for interoperability between individual software systems. Developing an interoperability evaluation model between software and information systems is difficult, and becoming an important challenge. An interoperability evaluation model allows knowing the degree of interoperability, and lead to the improvement of interoperability. This paper describes the existing interoperability evaluation models, and performs a comparative analysis among their findings to determine the similarities and differences in their philosophy and implementation. This analysis yields a set of recommendations for any party that is open to the idea of creating or improving an interoperability evaluation model.     

基于语义Web的GIS互操作技术

GIS互操作技术是实现地理信息共享的关键。目前对GIS互操作的研究还主要集中在语法层次上,在语义层次上的互操作研究还处于起步阶段。而语义Web技术能够提供从语法层次到语义层次上的互操作性。因此,如何将语义Web技术应用于GIS互操作是一个值得研究的问题。提出了一种基于语义Web的GIS互操作方案,使用OWL建立地理信息本体,在此基础上探讨了同一本体不同版本间的比较,实现了GIS的语义互操作。     

基于MFI的企业业务模型互操作能力度量方法研究

业界存在多种企业业务模型,模型的定义、描述、结构、功能及支持工具通常存在差异,这些差异导致业务模型间的部分语义互操作存在较大困难。绝大部分企业业务模型都能够通过4个维度(Role,Goal,Process,Service)来描述,因此,一个企业业务模型实际上是一个具体的RGPS模型,依此提出企业业务模型互操作能力度量方法。首先基于互操作性元模型框架MFI构建RGPS互操作性特征框架,再将特征框架定义为RGPS模型互操作性特征集;其次对业务模型特征所属类型与所具有的性质进行分析,定义数学方法,并基于互操作性特征集对模型特征进行标识与量化,得到模型实例;再次通过数据相似性算法计算模型实例间的相似性,得出RGPS模型集中任意两个模型间的互操作能力值,从而构建RGPS模型集的互操作能力度量矩阵;最后,采用该方法对不同领域间典型的企业业务模型互操作能力进行度量,分析并讨论度量结果,从而在一定程度上验证了互操作能力度量方法能促进并引导不同领域企业业务模型的有效协作。     

软件组件的互操作性和透明性

互操作性和透明性独立于系统功能。分布式系统结构实现互操作性和透明性非常复杂，需要深入的软件工程知识、系统软件体系结构和新的系统互操作性观点。尽管使用技术可以获得特定情况下的互操作性，但不能解决一般意义下的透明互操作性问题。对分布式系统的互操作性和透明性问题进行了深入地分析与阐述，并探究了互操作性与软件体系结构的关系，着重讨论了交叉领域的互操作性要求。相信与软件体系结构结合起来的互操作性和透明性的实现将对大规模、复杂的分布式系统产生深远的影响。     

互操作信任的模糊变权动态综合评价方法

随着信息化的发展,"信息孤岛"成为阻碍跨部门、跨域信息资源共享的主要问题,而解决这个问题的关键技术就是互操作.不同部门之间实现互操作的前提是建立良好的信任关系.以信息系统互操作为背景,从组织信任关系的角度,对互操作的信任机制进行了研究.在构建互操作联盟的基础上,一方面,从组织信任关系背景下,分析了影响互操作信任的定性和定量的因素,建立了互操作信任评价指标体系;另一方面,为符合互操作局部自治和动态变化的特点,研究了基于模糊变权理论的互操作信任动态综合评价方法.最后,通过仿真对上述研究内容的可行性进行了验证.通过分析证明该方法能够实现互操作信任的动态变化以及基于信任的互操作逻辑重构.     

Web服务互操作性测试系统的研究

Web服务互操作性是面向服务的软件系统测试内容的一个重要方面.本文分析了Web服务及其互操作性问题,介绍了协议互操作性测试的基本方法及协议互操作性测试系统的基本框架,在此基础上提出了一个Web服务互操作性测试系统的结构框架,并对该测试系统进行了形式化定义,最后指出了需要进一步研究的方向.     

OSEware：一个支持面向计算互操作性的中间件

互操作性是计算机开放系统的必具特特征之一，是技术界至尚未完美地解决的公开问题。开放系统中互操作性可以划分为面向计算互操作性和面向信息互操作性，本文将介绍的是，作者设计并实现的一个用于支持面向计算的可互操作性的应用开发与应用运行环境－中间件ＯＳＥｗａｒｅ。     

开放系统中的互操作性

互操作性是开放系统和分布式计算领域中的关键技术之一。本文从几个不同的侧面对互操作性进行了详细的论述，包括：互操作性内涵的澄清，互操作性的分类和中间件技术。最后本文给出了一个已经实现了的互操作中间件ＯＳＥｗａｒｅ的设计思想，另餐，本文还指出了对互操作性作进一步研究的两个方向，面向对象的互操作，ＯＤＰ和ＣＯＲＢＡ之间的互操作。     

对象互操作的行为模型

对象互操作表达了一组对象在完成某一任务时的动态协作关系,对象互操作的行为描述与抽象是支持面向对应互操作的基础,对此提出一种活动模型作为描述对象互操作行为的方法,该方法以一阶时态逻辑为基础,表达了互操作对象之间交换消息的时态顺序和不同活动之间的行为关系,在该方法中,提出了活动特化和活动聚合两种行为抽象机制,实现了对象互操作行为的复用,最后讨论了给定论域的类模式和活动模式的一致性集成问题。     

A formal method to real-time protocol interoperability testing

Interoperability testing is an important technique to ensure the quality of implementations of network communication protocol. In the next generation Internet protocol, real-time applications should be supported effectively. However, time constraints were not considered in the related studies of protocol interoperability testing, so existing interoperability testing methods are difficult to be applied in real-time protocol interoperability testing. In this paper, a formal method to real-time protocol interoperability testing is proposed. Firstly, a formal model CMpTIOA （communicating multi-port timed input output automata） is defined to specify the system under test （SUT） in real-time protocol interoperability testing; based on this model, timed interoperability relation is then defined. In order to check this relation, a test generation method is presented to generate a parameterized test behavior tree from SUT model; a mechanism of executability pre-determination is also integrated in the test generation method to alleviate state space explosion problem to some extent. The proposed theory and method are then applied in interoperability testing of IPv6 neighbor discovery protocol to show the feasibility of this method.     

Formalizing interoperability for test case generation purpose

This study deals with interoperability testing of protocol implementations. The objective is to define a method for automatic test derivation based on formal definitions. First, the notion of interoperability criteria is introduced. They formally describes the conditions that two implementations must verify in order to be considered interoperable. Then, based on the equivalence of two of the defined interoperability criteria, we propose a method to derive automatically interoperability test cases that avoids the state-space explosion problem.