Next Generation Middleware Group
The Next Generation Middleware group at Lancaster University is comprised of academics, researchers and PhD students actively involved in middleware research; we have many years of experience in this field, having contributed significantly to key developments such as the emergence of distributed object technology (e.g. CORBA) and, more recently, component-based services (.NET, EJB, etc). We are particularly recognised for our work on advanced solutions that go well beyond commercial technologies. For example, our work on augmenting middleware platforms with support for multimedia, real-time, asynchronous mobile communication, and peer-to-peer communication for ad-hoc environments.
Most recently, we have pioneered reflective middleware as a principled means of supporting both customisation and dynamic re-configuration of middleware platforms and associated services. To complement the use of reflection, we also investigate the use of systems-level component technologies, and the associated concept of component frameworks, in the construction of our open middleware solutions. Whereas the use of such techniques is commonplace at the application or service level, we also advocate the use of these technologies in the construction of middleware itself, with reflective mechanisms providing introspection and adaptation facilities building on this underlying structure. We also have a strong interest in self-managing (autonomic) applications and services that can usefully exploit the underlying openness of our middleware solutions. Finally, we are investigating the use of reflective component-based middleware in mobile computing, in the construction of programmable networks, and also for advanced Web Services and Grid-based platforms.
The OpenCOM platform is a particular success story of our research. This open and reflective component model acts as a common development and distribution environment for our research systems. OpenCOM is available for use, and has been used by a number of academic institutions in the UK, Norway, Mexico and Brazil.
Contact
For further information about our research:
|
Professor Gordon Blair Computing Department Lancaster University LANCASTER LA1 4YR  gordon - add @comp.lancs.ac.uk |
Professor Geoff Coulson Computing Department Lancaster University LANCASTER LA1 4YR geoff - add @comp.lancs.ac.uk |