The cost of security in skeletal systems

Abstract

Skeletal systems exploit algorithmical skeletons technology to provide the user very high level, efficient parallel programming environments. They have been recently demonstrated to be suitable for highly distributed architectures, such as workstation clusters, networks and grids. However, when using skeletal system for grid programming care must be taken to secure data and code transfers across non-dedicated, non-secure network links. In this work we take into account the cost of security introduction in muskel, a Java based skeletal system exploiting macro data flow implementation technology. We consider the adoption of mechanisms that allow securing all the communications taking place between remote, unreliable nodes and we evaluate the cost of such mechanisms. In particular, we consider the implications on the computational grains needed to scale secure and insecure skeletal computations

A survey of algorithmic skeleton frameworks: high‐level structured parallel programming enablers

“…Moreover, Muskel provides performance‐oriented features such as quality of service 109; security between task pool and interpreters 110, 111; and resource discovery, load balancing, and fault tolerance when interfaced with the Java and Jini technologies 112. More recent research from the Pisa group has addressed skeletal extensibility 63, autonomic components 113, and behavioural skeletons 114.…”