CloudExplorer: A User-Centered Cloud Browser for Cloud Services

A user-centered cloud browser, i.e., Cloud Explorer, is proposed to discover, process and execute emerging cloud services, as Web browsers are used to search and display Web information. Cloud Explorer is the first attempt for end users to explore cloud services to meet with users' behaviors and concerns in the coming cloud society. The browser is devoted to end users and has made great differences in that (i) Cloud Explorer is personalized and each people can be provided with a private Cloud Explorer, (ii) Cloud Explorer discovers services based on user models and using semantic & composite service search techniques, (iii) Cloud Explorer support service package customization and execution with users' interaction, (iv) Cloud Explorer is located and associated with a person, and keeps the person's individual information, (v) Cloud Explorer provides an interaction-based security mechanism for cloud society. Other applications can interact with the browser to get certification and authorization to avoid releasing personal information. The principle and technical issues of Cloud Explorer are discussed. Based on the previous work, the browser has been prototyped to address several service-oriented application issues.