Applying partial virtualization on ELF binaries through dynamic loaders

The technology of partial virtualization is a revolutionary approach to the world of virtualization. It lies directly in-between full system virtual machines (like QEMU or XEN) and application-related virtual machines (like the JVM or the CLR). The ViewOS project is the flagship of such technique, developed by the Virtual Square laboratory, created to provide an abstract view of the underlying system resources on a per-process basis and work against the principle of the Global View Assumption. Virtual Square provides several different methods to achieve partial virtualization within the ViewOS system, both at user and kernel levels. Each of these approaches have their own advantages and shortcomings. This paper provides an analysis of the different virtualization methods and problems related to both the generic and partial virtualization worlds. This paper is the result of an in-depth study and research for a new technology to be employed to provide partial virtualization based on ELF dynamic binaries. It starts with a mild analysis of currently available virtualization alternatives and then goes on describing the ViewOS system, highlighting its current shortcomings. The vloader project is then proposed as a possible solution to some of these inconveniences with a working proof of concept and examples to outline the potential of such new virtualization technique. By injecting specific code and libraries in the middle of the binary loading mechanism provided by the ELF standard, the vloader project can promote a streamlined and simplified approach to trace system calls. With the advantages outlined in the following paper, this method presents better performance and portability compared to the currently available ViewOS implementations. Furthermore, some of itsdisadvantages are also discussed, along with their possible solutions.

Implementation of network entropy algorithms on hpc machines, with application to high-dimensional experimental data

Network Theory is a prolific and lively field, especially when it approaches Biology. New concepts from this theory find application in areas where extensive datasets are already available for analysis, without the need to invest money to collect them. The only tools that are necessary to accomplish an analysis are easily accessible: a computing machine and a good algorithm. As these two tools progress, thanks to technology advancement and human efforts, wider and wider datasets can be analysed. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to provide an overview of one of these concepts, which originates at the meeting point between Network Theory and Statistical Mechanics: the entropy of a network ensemble. This quantity has been described from different angles in the literature. Our approach tries to be a synthesis of the different points of view. The second part of the work is devoted to presenting a parallel algorithm that can evaluate this quantity over an extensive dataset. Eventually, the algorithm will also be used to analyse high-throughput data coming from biology.

Vending Machines avanzate basate su principi di Physical Web e Internet of Things

La costante evoluzione tecnologica sta portando alla luce nuove possibilità, che un tempo non erano nemmeno immaginabili. Uno dei settori che si è rivoluzionato maggiormente negli ultimi anni è quello delle telecomunicazioni e questo ha portato sia a una riduzione dei costi per le connessioni a Internet, sia ad un aumento delle loro capacità e prestazioni; di conseguenza queste connessioni sono diventate più accessibili e affidabili permettendo alle persone e alle cose di accedere a Internet quasi ininterrottamente. Questo sviluppo sta portando innumerevoli benefici, ma come ciascuna innovazione tecnologica, tuttavia, i benefici si accompagnano a nuove sfide. In questo elaborato viene dapprima analizzato lo stato dell’arte, i benefici, le problematiche e gli attuali interessi da parte di alcuni dei maggiori player verso l’Internet of Things. Vengono poi prese in considerazione due problematiche: l'individuazione e l'interazione con gli oggetti connessi a Internet, portando come esempio l'utilizzo e la ricerca di una vending machine, un distributore automatico. Proponendo una soluzione, in primo luogo è stato effettuato lo sviluppo di un ecosistema che sfrutta le potenzialità del Physical Web, implementando ad hoc ogni componente, dall'emissione del beacon Eddystone-URL alla visualizzazione della pagina ad esso associata. In secondo luogo questa è stata creata un'applicazione Android che sfrutta l'altro tipo di frame offerto dalla piattaforma beacon di Google, l'Eddystone-UID. Queste due applicazioni vengono quindi analizzate e messe a confronto, per individuare i punti forti e le mancanze delle rispettive piattaforme.