Virtualization layer security challenges and intrusion detection/prevention systems in cloud computing: a comprehensive review

Virtualization plays a vital role in the construction of cloud computing. However, various vulnerabilities are existing in current virtualization implementations, and thus there are various security challenges at virtualization layer. In this paper, we investigate different vulnerabilities and attacks at virtualization layer of cloud computing. We examine the proposals of cloud intrusion detection system (IDS) and intrusion detection and prevention system frameworks. We recommend the cloud IDS requirements and research scope to achieve desired level of security at virtualization layer of cloud computing.     

Lexical state analyzer for JavaCC grammars

Lexical states in JavaCC provide a powerful mechanism to scan regular expressions in a context sensitive manner. But lexical states also make it hard to reason about the correctness of the grammar. We first categorize the related correctness issues into two classes: errors and warnings. We then extend the traditional context sensitive and a context insensitive analysis to identify errors and warnings in context‐free grammars. We have implemented these analyses as a standalone tool (LSA ), the first of its kind, to identify errors and warnings in JavaCC grammars. The LSA tool outputs a graph that depicts the grammar and the error transitions. Importantly, it can also generate counter example strings that can be used to establish the errors. We have used LSA to analyze a host of open‐source JavaCC grammar files to good effect. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tensile behaviour of boron modified Timetal 834 titanium alloy in the intermediate temperature range 400-500 °C

The tensile behaviour of boron modified Timetal 834 titanium alloy was studied in the intermediate temperature range 400-500 °C and compared with that of the base alloy. The yield and ultimate tensile strengths of the B modified alloy were found to be higher than those of the base alloy at all the temperatures investigated. The B modified alloy also exhibited only a marginally lower elongation to failure as compared to the base alloy at all the temperatures investigated. The B modified alloy exhibited dynamic strain aging in the temperature range 400-475 °C which is similar to the observed behaviour in the base alloy.     

Pitting of AISI 304L stainless steel coated with nano structured sol–gel alumina coatings in chloride containing acidic environments

Sol–gel coatings were applied on AISI 304L stainless steel and their pitting resistance was evaluated in different concentrations of chloride ions in 0.01 M H₂SO₄ solution. AFM and XRD analyses of the coated surface confirmed the presence of nano structured α-alumina phase in the coating. Anodic polarisation indicated a considerable shift of pitting potential of the substrate in the noble direction after applying coatings. The SEM micrographs of the polarised specimens revealed the presence of relatively less number of pits on the coated surface. EIS analysis demonstrated the occurrence of diffusion process at the coating/metal interfaces in chloride ions presence.     

Low-Stress Abrasive Wear Behaviour of a 0.2% C Steel: Influence of Microstructure and Test Parameters

A low (0.2%) carbon steel has been subjected to heat treatment to form varying quantities of ferrite plus martensite in its microstructure. This was achieved by holding the samples in the two-phase (ferrite plus austenite) region at three different temperatures (750, 780, and 810°C) for a specific duration followed by quenching in ice water. In another exercise, the steel was also subjected to annealing treatment by austenitizing at 890°C followed by furnace cooling for comparison purposes. The samples were subjected to low-stress (three-body) abrasion tests using an ASTM rubber wheel abrasion test apparatus at different wheel speeds (150, 273 and 400rpm corresponding to linear speeds of 1.79, 3.26 and 4.78m/s respectively) for different sliding distances at a fixed load of 49N. Crushed silica sand particles of size ranging from 212 to 300 m were used as the abrasive medium. The wear rate of samples decreased progressively with sliding distance until a (nearly) steady-state condition was attained. This was considered to be due to abrasion-induced work hardening of subsurface regions as well as the greater tendency of protrusion of the harder martensite/pearlite phase at longer sliding distances, thereby providing greater resistance to wear. Decreasing wear rate with increasing treatment temperature 750–810°C could be attributed to the greater volume fraction of the hard martensite phase in the samples containing ferrite plus martensite. The lower wear rate observed in the case of the samples containing ferrite plus martensite over the annealed ones comprising ferrite and pearlite was attributed to the higher bulk hardness of the former. Increasing linear speed from 1.79 to 3.26m/s led to an increase in wear rate. This could be attributed to greater tendency of the abrasive particles to create deeper scratches and scouping (digging). A reduction in wear rate with a further increase in the linear speed from 3.26 to 4.78m/s could be due to a change in the mechanism of wear from predominantly sliding to rolling of the abrasive particles in view of the increased plastic deformability characteristics of the specimens due to higher frictional heating. The present investigation clearly suggests that it is possible to attain a desired combination of bulk hardness and microstructure (consisting of ferrite plus martensite) leading to optimum abrasion resistance in low-carbon steels. The quantity of the two phases in turn could be varied by suitably controlling the heat-treatment temperature.     

A design advisor for the optimal inspection of circularity tolerance

In the wake of growing importance for quality and the need to reduce inspection costs simultaneously, the need for a scientific method of selecting an optimum inspection strategy for coordinate measuring machine (CMM) based inspection has become very important. The inspection error resulting from CMM inspection is greatly affected by the profile irregularities and the sampling strategy, which includes sample size, sampling methods, and algorithms used for form evaluation. This paper describes a system that can recommend an optimal inspection plan based on the needs of the user. A design of experiments (DOE) based approach is used to relate the inspection error with sampling strategies. Surface irregularities are included in the form of lobes formed on the profile. A new two-way model is proposed that works in both directions between the sampling strategy and the performance metrics. The results indicate that the number of lobes and the sampling method used have little impact on the inspection error, while the sample size and form evaluation algorithms have a significant influence. An inspection plan advisor is presented, which provides an inspection plan based on the estimated shape and acceptable measurement error.     

Influence of material characteristics on the abrasive wear response of some hardfacing alloys

This study examines the abrasive wear behavior of two iron-base hardfacing materials with different combinations of carbon and chromium after deposition on a steel substrate. Effects of applied load and sliding distance on the wear behavior of the specimens were studied. Operating material removal mechanisms also were analyzed through the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of typical wear surfaces, subsurface regions, and debris particles. The results suggest a significant improvement in the wear resistance of the hardfaced layers over that of the substrate. Further, the specimens overlaid with the material with low carbon and high chromium contents attained better wear resistance than the one consisting of more carbon but less chromium. The former specimens also attained superior hardness. Smoother abrasion grooves on the wear surfaces and finer debris formation during the abrasion of the hardfaced samples were consistent with wear resistance superior to that of the substrate.     

A study of high-velocity combustion wire molybdenum coatings

In this paper, coatings manufactured using the high-velocity combustion wire (HVCW) spray process have been studied. Molybdenum coatings were prepared in this study, and wavelength dispersive x-ray analysis (WDX) investigations were carried out to ascertain the oxygen content of the coating and its distribution. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the coating was also carried out to determine the phases present in the coating. Based on the above data, the authors explain the HVCW-sprayed molybdenum coating microstructure properties. These coatings were also sprayed using a modified aircap design. The parameters varied for the molybdenum coatings by HVCW and were (1) the distance of the substrate from the spray gun and (2) the wire feed rate of the gun. The wear test and coefficient of friction measurements were also carried out for the coatings. Air plasma spraying of Mo-25% NiCrBSi coatings was carried out, and these coatings were further checked for wear friction properties.