A distributed execution environment enabling resilient processes for ubiquitous systems

Processes allow the high-level description and execution of service call sequences among multiple devices. Pervasive systems created the need for decentralized and resource-saving process execution environments due to a lack of central high-powered servers for process orchestration. Ubiquitous systems add the aspect of loosely-coupled mobile devices and the strong focus on the user to the list of challenges that need to be handled when executing processes. Current process engines, however, are not able to handle these new requirements regarding scalability, dynamics, and user interactions sufficiently. In this work in progress, we propose a hierarchical peer-to-peer architecture for a distributed process execution environment. The proposed system is able to cope with the dynamics and scalability demands of ubiquitous systems and allows for more resilient processes. In addition, the devices involved in the processes provide the user with means for interaction with the process execution. We will discuss the approach and the application of suitable algorithms to improve its efficiency and the utilization of available resources.