KU Leuven DistriNet

DistriNet is the research group for distributed systems and computer networks. This group is a part of the Computer Science Department of the University of Louvain. Research has evolved from distributed operating systems towards software platforms that support distributed applications. DistriNet focuses on such domains as computer networks, middleware, internet architectures, network and software security, embedded systems and multi-agent systems. In each of these domains, specialised task groups give attention to a number of pressing questions.

Application domains

DistriNet carries out research in such application domains as:

Network services and middleware, which are dynamically adaptable to the requirements of the end-user. Examples: Service access networks, protocol stacks that are customised to the user and the terminal, and test suites for systems software in USB architectures;
Internet applications with high requirements regarding interoperability, mobility and security; these must be adaptable in such a way that they can compensate for changes in the environment. Examples: Remote control and administration of vehicles, Web services (for instance e-commerce), virtual enterprises, etc.
Security for advanced distributed applications, including medical information systems that are oriented towards workflow, residential gateways and mobile agent platforms;
Embedded applications that work in real-time, with specific dependencies for peripheral equipment, for which traditional systems software does not offer any support. Examples: Systems for camera surveillance, domotics, mobile robotics and PDA applications.

Objectives of DistriNet

Support for open systems, by building transparent and object-oriented platforms for the development of (distributed) software systems;
Through a reutilisation of software and a separation of interests, through the development of systems software in an innovative manner and by improving modularity; the ongoing research develops, uses and combines different techniques, such as meta-object protocols, aspect-oriented programming (AOP), component-oriented software development, component framework developments and design models;
Support for complex systems, by working out software architectures and paradigms that are tuned to the modelling of specific types of systems;
Dynamic configuration and integration, by developing systems that can be adapted to application-specific requirements during their implementation. This can be achieved by using new components or services.
Quality-of-Service (QoS), by searching for solutions that support QoS architectures for protocol stacks, middleware and embedded systems.

These five focus domains or closely interlinked with one another. Expertise gained in one domain is used for research in another. This manner of working is also found back in the structure of DistriNet. The research directions, the application domains and the research objectives determine the composition of the task groups.

Projects

DistriNet is involved in various national and international research projects. These include both company projects, as well as fundamental and basic research, which are done via such agencies as FWO2 and IWT3. DistriNet was the basis for a spin-off company: Ubizen, which has specialised in network security.

The research that is carried out is usually application-driven. A co-operation with companies occurs frequently, including SMEs and large companies such as Alcatel Bell, Barco, Egemin, Ubizen, Philips and Siemens.

Website: http://www.cs.kuleuven.ac.be/cwis/research/distrinet