Cloud-DLT: A Disruptive Cloud based Digital Library using Lean Design Technique

Abstract

Cloud based libraries connect individuals to on-demand information needed to solve problems, expand frontiers and re-shape the future. In the era of disruptive computing, a digital library model using cloud computing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is proposed. The proof of concept is used to demonstrate the viability of deploying and running virtualized digital library in Nigerian higher institutions. Lean design phases are used in developing the library application program interface (API) as well as the network design. Programming languages such as CSS, JavaScript, PHP and MYSQL are used for the API integration while demonstrating a hypervisor based server infrastructure on a Wi-Fi hotspot. For access control on the network, a network IP address configuration based on classless inter-domain routing (CIDR-192.168.0.0/24) is applied while using TP-Link 3G/4G Wireless N-Router (TL-MR3420) access point for 300Mbps wireless connectivity. Front-end vulnerability threats are addressed during the coding phase while demonstrating improvement on the level of services provided for resource accessibility and management. A faculty wide scenario in Federal University of Technology is used as a validation case study. The proposed system is flexible, offers robust security support with 64/128bit wired equivalent privacy (WEP), WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WAP2-PSK encryption standards. Cloud-DLT eradicates the challenges and inconveniences associated with accessing and managing the library resources. The work highlighted its usefulness and implications to academics and students in the next few years.