Performance and Integrity in the OpenORB Reflective Middleware

Abstract

Middleware is playing an increasingly central role in the design of modern computer systems and will, we believe, continue to enjoy this prominence in the future. There is, however, a demonstrable need for more openness and flexibility in middleware [1]. We believe strongly that reflective middleware is the right technology to meet these demands. Indeed, there is strong evidence that such platforms are not only significantly more configurable and reconfigurable than conventional platforms, but that they offer better support for software evolution generally [2]. The main goals of OpenORB v2, the system discussed in this extended abstract, are to address what we perceive as the most pressing shortcomings of current reflective middleware platforms. First, performance: in the worst case, this needs to be on a par with that of conventional platforms, and in the best case (e.g. in cut-down configurations) it should be significantly better. Second, integrity: while permitting maximal reconfigurability, it should be possible to control and constrain reconfigurations so that damaging changes are discouraged and/ or disallowed.