Transaction processing in a mobile computing environment with alternating client hosts

Abstract

Previous research in mobile data management has been focused on scenarios where mobile clients replace fixed ones. However, not all potential application fields of mobile computing fit into this scenario. There exist scenarios where mobile clients will not replace but accompany fixed ones. In this paper, we introduce a real-world application scenario requiring the capability to process a transaction from alternating, potentially mobile client hosts. With this scenario in mind, we have developed three approaches for supporting multiple clients in combination with a so-called TXAgent (Transaction Processing Agent), which is an object in the fixed network which manages transactions on behalf of the client, and an approach to realise the client as a migrating object. Finally, we present a prototype implementation of the most promising approach.