MORPH: A Reference Architecture for Configuration and Behaviour Self-Adaptation

TL;DR

This paper introduces MORPH, a reference architecture that enables independent and coordinated adaptation of system configuration and behavior in self-adaptive systems, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness.

Contribution

It proposes a novel reference architecture that separates configuration and behavior adaptation, improving modularity and adaptability in self-adaptive systems.

Findings

Supports independent adaptation of configuration and behavior

Enhances system flexibility and responsiveness

Provides a structured approach for architectural self-adaptation

Abstract

An architectural approach to self-adaptive systems involves runtime change of system configuration (i.e., the system's components, their bindings and operational parameters) and behaviour update (i.e., component orchestration). Thus, dynamic reconfiguration and discrete event control theory are at the heart of architectural adaptation. Although controlling configuration and behaviour at runtime has been discussed and applied to architectural adaptation, architectures for self-adaptive systems often compound these two aspects reducing the potential for adaptability. In this paper we propose a reference architecture that allows for coordinated yet transparent and independent adaptation of system configuration and behaviour.