Dynamic configuration management of cloud-based applications

Cloud-based applications are multi-tenant aware, whereas customers (i.e., tenants) share hardware and software resources. Offering highly configurable applications to thousands of tenants in a shared cloud environment demands for scalable configuration management. Based on an example scenario taken from the Indenica project, we identify requirements for applying methods from software product line (SPL) engineering to configure cloud-based multi-tenant aware applications. Using an extended feature model (EFM) to express variability of functionality and service qualities, we propose a concept for dynamic configuration management to address the identified requirements. Our proposed configuration management includes an adaptive staged configuration process that is capable of adding and removing stakeholders dynamically and that allows for reconfiguration of variants as stakeholders' objectives change.

[1]  Antonio Ruiz Cortés,et al.  Automated Reasoning on Feature Models , 2005, CAiSE.

[2]  Uwe Aßmann,et al.  Towards modeling a variable architecture for multi-tenant SaaS-applications , 2012, VaMoS.

[3]  Pierre-Yves Schobbens,et al.  Supporting multiple perspectives in feature-based configuration , 2013, Software & Systems Modeling.

[4]  Matthias Weber,et al.  Multi-level feature trees , 2007, Requirements Engineering.

[5]  Mathieu Acher,et al.  Separation of concerns in feature modeling: support and applications , 2012, AOSD.

[6]  Paul Grünbacher,et al.  Configuration of Multi Product Lines by Bridging Heterogeneous Variability Modeling Approaches , 2011, 2011 15th International Software Product Line Conference.

[7]  Pierre-Yves Schobbens,et al.  Feature Diagrams: A Survey and a Formal Semantics , 2006, 14th IEEE International Requirements Engineering Conference (RE'06).

[8]  Sergio Segura,et al.  Automated analysis of feature models 20 years later: A literature review , 2010, Inf. Syst..

[9]  Urs Andelfinger,et al.  Applying software product lines to create customizable software-as-a-service applications , 2011, SPLC '11.

[10]  Andreas Classen,et al.  Formal modelling of feature configuration workflows , 2009, SPLC.

[11]  Antonio Ruiz Cortés,et al.  Using Java CSP Solvers in the Automated Analyses of Feature Models , 2005, GTTSE.

[12]  Kyo Chul Kang,et al.  Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA) Feasibility Study , 1990 .

[13]  Frank Leymann,et al.  Variability modeling to support customization and deployment of multi-tenant-aware Software as a Service applications , 2009, 2009 ICSE Workshop on Principles of Engineering Service Oriented Systems.

[14]  Santosh K. Shrivastava,et al.  Flexible workflow management in the OPENflow system , 2001, Proceedings Fifth IEEE International Enterprise Distributed Object Computing Conference.

[15]  P. Mell,et al.  The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing , 2011 .

[16]  Malte Lochau,et al.  Multi-perspectives on feature models , 2012, MODELS'12.

[17]  Vijayalakshmi Atluri,et al.  Role-based Access Control , 1992 .

[18]  Donald D. Cowan,et al.  A Process-Centric Approach for Coordinating Product Configuration Decisions , 2007, 2007 40th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS'07).

[19]  Marko Rosenmüller,et al.  Automating the Configuration of Multi Software Product Lines , 2010, VaMoS.

[20]  Fabio Casati,et al.  Workflow Evolution , 1996, ER.

[21]  Camille Salinesi,et al.  Transforming Attribute and Clone-enabled Feature Models into Constraint Programs over Finite Domains , 2011, ENASE.

[22]  Krzysztof Czarnecki,et al.  Staged configuration through specialization and multilevel configuration of feature models , 2005, Softw. Process. Improv. Pract..

[23]  Halit Oğuztüzün,et al.  Mapping Extended Feature Models to Constraint Logic Programming over Finite Domains , 2010, SPLC.

[24]  Krzysztof Czarnecki,et al.  A study of non-Boolean constraints in variability models of an embedded operating system , 2011, SPLC '11.

[25]  Pearl Brereton,et al.  Service-based software: the future for flexible software , 2000, Proceedings Seventh Asia-Pacific Software Engeering Conference. APSEC 2000.