Execution time prediction in DSM-based mobile grids

Mobile grids are collaborative, resource sharing environments formed by a collection of heterogeneous devices ranging from fixed PCs to wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops, cellulars etc. We investigate the distributed shared memory (DSM) paradigm in the context of mobile grid computing. The uncoupled communication paradigm provided by DSM systems is well desirable in a mobile environment because it provides means for handling the temporary unavailability of resources. We tackle the problems of mobile (disconnected) computing and fault-recovery through a 'time-out management' strategy, introducing a novel task-duration prediction approach. We illustrate how task execution prediction can be beneficially employed to introduce scheduling heuristics that submit tasks to those terminals that are more reliable, connected, and resourceful.