Author(s): Popov P, Riddle S, Romanovsky A, Strigini L
Abstract: Off-the-shelf (OTS) components are increasingly used in application areas with stringent dependability requirements. Component wrapping is a well known structuring technique used in many areas. We propose a general approach to developing protective wrappers that assist in integrating OTS items with a focus on the overall system dependability. The wrappers are viewed as redundant software employed to detect errors or suspicious activity and to execute appropriate recovery when possible; wrapper development is considered as a part of system integration. Wrappers are to be rigorously specified and executed at run time as a means of protecting OTS items against faults in the rest of the system, and the system against the OTS item?s faults. Possible symptoms of erroneous behaviour to be detected by a protective wrapper are classified and a list of possible actions to be undertaken is discussed. The information required for the wrapper development is provided by traceability analysis. Possible approaches to implementing ""protectors"" in the standard component technologies are briefly outlined
Keywords: system integration, COTS, dependability, error detection and recovery, wrapping, traceability