Using Events to Implement a Distributed Worm in a Mobile Environment

Abstract

A distributed system comprises a number of independent computers linked together by a network, running a set of software components residing on numerous machines, all working towards a common goal. A worm is a paradigm for distributing certain types of parallel computations across a network. A distinguishing feature of the worm paradigm is its support for a certain degree of fault tolerance. Key to the successful implementation of a worm or any distributed application is the communications paradigm. Another distinguishing feature of a worm is its ability to migrate. This dissertation focuses on using the worm paradigm in a mobile environment. In particular the dissertation is an examination of the suitability of the event communication paradigm in this environment. The design and implementation of an event service is reported. A novel feature of the event service is its fully distributed nature, and its support for mobility in both consumers and producers of events. A worm was implemented using the event service, and a number of application programs were written to demonstrate its operation.