Trust Evaluation in Component-based Software Architecture

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Helsinki University of Technology | Diplomityö
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Date

2007

Major/Subject

Tietojenkäsittelyteoria

Mcode

T-79

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

82+12

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Abstract

Component-based software architecture enables extending the functionality of a system with additional software modules, called components. An open architecture makes it possible for software vendors to provide various components for the end-users. Installing third party software into a system introduces, however, threats that cannot be ignored. The threats are especially troubling in case of mobile and embedded devices since their faulty functioning may make them completely unusable or cause significant monetary loss. The growing importance of software in embedded systems, its economic value and the fact that individuals and societies depend more and more on the correct functioning of these embedded systems are the major motivations for developing secure component architecture. This thesis describes a trust model designed to be used in component-based software architecture. The architecture is developed for the needs of embedded devices, for which dependability is particularly important. The aim is that using the trust model, it is possible to evaluate the trustworthiness of the installed components and, furthermore, to maintain the correct operation of a system. This thesis also introduces a recommendation mechanism, which enables the devices to communicate their observations about the operation of a component to other devices. In this way, the devices gain valuable additional information about the trustworthiness of the component. The trust model with the recommendation mechanism was experimented with simulation. The model contains many parameters that relate to the details of the trustworthiness evaluation procedure. The simulation shows that the choice of parameters has a major effect on the results. In a situation where a component may operate either well or badly, some parameter sets are appropriate for maximizing the number of good experiences and others for minimizing the number of bad ones.

Description

Supervisor

Kari, Hannu H.

Thesis advisor

Toivonen, Santtu

Keywords

component software, komponenttijärjestelmä, trust model, luottamusmalli, trust evaluation, luottamuksen arviointi, simulation, simulointi

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