A framework for component certification in autonomic systems

While theory on software certification exists (e.g., see [1] for an overview), little of it has been applied to autonomic systems in the context of Network Management Systems. In this paper, a framework will be provided for component certification for autonomous networks. It has been applied in the UniverSelf Project, featuring a unified management framework (umf) as well as many autonomous mechanisms that can be developed by different parties. The framework uses two variables (offline vs. online certification, self vs. third-party certification) to arrive at four scenarios. Taking into account different degrees of operator trust in autonomics, the framework can assist to the safe and informed implementation and execution of autonomic mechanisms.