An open framework for dynamic reconfiguration

Abstract

Dynamic reconfiguration techniques appear promising for building systems that have requirements for adaptability and/or high availability. Current systems that support dynamic reconfiguration tend to use a single, fixed, reconfiguration algorithm to manage the change process. Furthermore, existing change management systems lack support for measuring the impact of reconfiguration on a running system. In this paper, we introduce OpenRec, an open framework for managing dynamic reconfiguration which addresses these drawbacks. Using OpenRec, developers can observe the costs, in terms of time and disturbance, associated with making a particular run-time change. In addition, OpenRec employs an extensible set of reconfiguration algorithms where one algorithm can be substituted for another. Developers can thus make an informed decision as to which algorithm to use based on comparative analysis. Finally, OpenRec is itself dynamically reconfigurable.