CS Research Seminar: Auto-Scaling Services

The Department of Computer Science is pleased to present the distinguished research seminar—”Auto-Scaling Services for Cloud-Based Modelling and Simulation”—on Wednesday, May 15 from 2–3 p.m in Stuart Building, Room 201, featuring guest speakers Simon J. E. Taylor and Anastasia Anagnostou from Brunel University London, United Kingdom.

Abstract: Cloud computing is gaining significant interest in modelling and simulation (M&S). The underlying concept of using computing power as a utility is very attractive to users that can access state-of-the-art hardware and software without capital investment. Cloud makes M&S affordable especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that otherwise do not have the resources and expertise to build and use such tools. However, utilisation of cloud resources, if not managed carefully, can lead to waste (unused resources) which in turn incurs high cost. To manage and optimise multiple cloud resources usage is not a trivial task. In line with the above, we developed a cloud platform for easy deployment of simulation software and applications. The work was developed within the CloudSME (cloud-based simulation platform for manufacturing and engineering) project funded by the EC FP7 programme. This work is now being extended with services auto-scaling and application orchestration functionalities under the COLA (Cloud Orchestration at the Level of Application) project supported by the EC H2020 programme. This talk will present recent experiences and results and discuss how end-users can both access and benefit from auto-scaling cloud-based M&S.

Simon J. E. Taylor is a professor, the research director of the Department of Computer Science, and the leader of the Modelling and Simulation Research Group at Brunel University London. He leads major projects in industry and in Africa. Taylor a member of the ACM SIGSIM Steering Committee and founder of the Journal of Simulation. He has chaired several major conferences and his published more than 150 articles. His email address is simon.taylor@brunel.ac.uk and his ORCID is orcid.org/0000-0001-8252-0189

Anastasia Anagnostou is a lecturer and the deputy director of the Modelling and Simulation Research Group in the Department of Computer Science at Brunel University London. She holds a Ph.D. in hybrid distributed simulation, a M.Sc. in telemedicine and e-health systems, and a B.Sc. in electronics engineering. Her research interests are related to the application of modeling and simulation techniques in health care and industry. Anagnostou’s email address is anastasia.anagnostou@brunel.ac.uk and her ORCID is orcid.org/0000-0003-3397-8307.