A Framework For Middleware Supporting Real-Time Wide-Area Distributed Computing
Kane Kim, Steve Jenks, Larry Smarr, Andrew Chien, and Liang-Chen Zheng, Proceedings of 10th IEEE International Workshop on Object-Oriented Real-Time Dependable Systems (WORDS 2005) pp. 231-240. Sedona, AZ, February 2-4, 2005.
Abstract
The development of real-time systems that are distributed over a wide area is a significant problem that has challenged researchers for many years. Such systems require precise timing of actions throughout, but wide-area networks tend to have variable delays that greatly reduce determinism.
The framework described here supports the composition of wide-area real-time Distributed Virtual Computer systems from deterministic components to provide precise timing from end-to-end. The framework will use switched optical networks such as those being developed for the OptIPuter project for well regulated long-distance paths yielding low jitter. Within campus networks, the Time-Triggered Ethernet technology will provide deterministic switching of packets for real-time applications while supporting legacy IP traffic. Finally, at the edges, the Time-triggered Message-triggered Object (TMO) Support Middleware will manage resources to provide realtime operations while supporting an easy-to-program interface and high-level timing specification.