‘Distributed systems’ consist of many interconnected computers. Users can utilise them just as they would individual systems. Computing scientists at the university have now completed a German-Russian project designed to ensure the security of these systems.
The larger the distributed systems, the more difficult it becomes to ensure their security and error-free operation. ‘Formal Methods in Design and Analysis of Distributed and Real-Time Systems’ is the name of a joint German-Russian project aimed at gaining a better understanding of these systems. After three years, researchers at the University of Oldenburg, led by Prof. Dr Eike Best, together with computer scientists from the University of the German Armed Forces in Munich (Prof. Dr Peter Hertling) and the Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk (Prof. Dr Irina Wirbizkajte), successfully completed the project at the end of February. It was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR).
Distributed systems are generally extremely difficult to analyse and design. The project therefore aimed to contribute to the development of a formal framework. The focus was on gaining a better understanding of complex distributed real-time systems, such as those found in communication protocols, process control systems or production systems. According to Best, the research findings assist designers in modelling a system at various design stages.
During the three-year German-Russian co-operation, around 25 bilateral working meetings took place. Researchers from both countries published 50 relevant papers at international conferences. A total of 15 researchers worked on the project, five of whom are early-career researchers under the age of 30. Three completed their academic degrees on topics related to the project. Anna Dedova and Yevgeny Yerofeyev were awarded prizes for their theses.
“We want to continue this fruitful co-operation and maintain the contacts that have been established through the international joint project,” explains Best. The project partners will therefore submit an application to continue the project.
