An innovative self-configuration approach for networked systems and applications

The increased complexity, heterogeneity and the dynamism of networked systems and services make current control and management tools to be ineffective in managing and securing such systems and services. A new paradigm to control and manage large-scale complex and dynamic networked systems is critically needed. In this paper, we present a new paradigm based on the principles of autonomic computing that can handle efficiently complexity, dynamism and uncertainty in networked systems and their applications. We have developed a general Component Management Interface (CMI) to enable autonomic behaviors and operations of any legacy resource or a software component. The CMI consists of four management ports: Configuration Port, Function Port, Control Port and Operation Port. We have successfully implemented the CMI in XML format and validated the effectiveness and performance of our approach to develop automated and self-configuring security patch deployment services.