MOCLO: A Cloud Framework for Mobile Devices

With the advent of smartphones, mobile-devices have evolved as powerful mini-computers. However, they still suffer from two intrinsic shortcomings, namely limited battery-power and inferior processors compared to their laptop counterparts. Several approaches based on cloud-computing have been suggested in the past to augment the performance of mobile devices and overcome these shortcomings. The utility of these approaches is demarcated by the maximum bandwidth and minimum latency that could be achieved in a cloud over the Internet. In this paper we propose MOCLO, a framework that operates upon locally-installed cloud called MOCLETS which is free from majority of shortcomings present in other Internet based cyber-foraging models. The paper also outlines the optimal architecture of mobile-applications to gain maximum benefit from MOCLO. A proof-of-concept prototype of MOCLO has also been implemented. Results have shown significant decrease in battery consumption and processing time of mobile applications leveraging MOCLO APIs. We also outline the significant cyber foraging frameworks proposed so far and where MOCLO stands in comparison to them. Towards the end we discuss the limitations of MOCLO and scalability issues and consider possible solutions for the same.