Local Server Research Articles

Design of a Novel Edge-Centric Cloud Architecture for m-Learning Performance Effectiveness by Leveraging Distributed Computing Paradigms’ Potentials

This article aims to design a novel edge-centric hierarchical cloud architecture to optimize mobile learning (m-learning) performance during learners executing computation-intensive learning applications. This research adopts the potential of distributed computing paradigms, that is, mobile edge, for improving the effectiveness of m-learning performance in higher education. Edge computing enables computing at the network’s edge and effectively avoids latencies while processing learners’ computational requests. The envisioned architecture was designed on the ETSI MEC ISG protocols and deployed on the university mobile cloud infrastructure. Additionally, a use case was designed, focusing the edge computing’s latency-avoiding ability, and executing it in a real-time environment involving sixteen students from an academic course. The execution results validated the architecture’s contribution, such as tasks executed in the local server, optimized learner privacy, reduced latencies, instant access, lowered bandwidth consumption, and continued tasks’ execution despite the failure of smart nodes. The result influences user acceptance and attracts designers to extend the architecture base focusing on machine learning algorithms (for learning analytics) and blockchain (to prevent malicious attacks) to improve the effectiveness of learning management system performance.

FedDCS: A distributed client selection framework for cross device federated learning

In cross-device Federated Learning (FL) the existing client selection approaches are centralised, making the assumption that the participatory clients are resource-full and restrict their type to mobile phones. These assumptions limit the applications of FL and make it difficult for the global server to monitor the client (s) resources; as a consequence of which a high client drop-out rate is observed. Thus, a distributed cross-device FL framework with the provision of resource & time-aware client selection is required. This paper proposes a distributed cross-device FL client selection framework (FedDCS) which employs a novel data-type, resource, and time-aware protocol for FL client selection. FedDCS is designed to offload the client selection and their resource monitoring processes to the local edge servers with the objective to minimize client(s) drop-outs, model convergence time, number of message exchanges, and time to achieve a certain level of accuracy. Extensive experiments on two benchmark data sets: MNIST and FashionMNIST, are performed on the PyTorch-based FL platform to evaluate the performance of FedDCS on such metrics. The results show 100% client retention in FedDCS during FL model training for both MNIST and FashionMNIST datasets using IID and Non-IID settings. For the MNIST dataset, FedDCS shows 82% and 36% improvement in the time taken to reach the desired testing accuracy, and 18% and 10% improvement in model convergence time, for IID and Non-IID setting respectively as compared to the best performing state-of-the-art, i.e., FedMCCS. For the FashionMNIST dataset, FedDCS shows 17% and 6% improvement in the time taken to reach the desired testing accuracy, and 4% and 1% improvement in model convergence time, for IID and Non-IID setting respectively as compared to the best performing state-of-the-art, i.e., FedMCCS. In addition, FedDCS also significantly reduces the number of message exchanges during FL.

Smart Library Management System Utilizing RFID Technology

Abstract: American journalist Carl T. Rowan once said, "The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history." We believe this quote rings true to this day. Libraries have been a pillar of knowledge for as long as civilizations have existed. Yet, many libraries still struggle to operate efficiently as the librarians manually keep track of every item in the library, book issuing and retrieving, new book entries, cataloging, shelfing et cetera. Our proposed Library Management System aims to streamline and automate these library operations. The Library Management System will utilize RFID tags which will be attached to books, and RFID readers placed with the librarian. Furthermore, the LMS also provides a very simple and user-friendly software interface for all the library operations. All aspects of hardware and software are linked to ensure smooth operation on every front. The database is stored in a local MySQL server, ensuring data integrity and security. Our approach to the project was based on prioritising costeffectiveness and improved accuracy. This project aims to contribute to the modernisation of library operations and facilitate a seamless borrowing and returning process for library users

GREEN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AT HIGHER EDUCATION ORGANIZATION: SOLUTION FOR SUSTENANCE OF ICT IN FUTURE

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an essential component of Higher Education organizations. However, the sustainability of ICT in the future is a major concern due to the high energy consumption and associated environmental impacts. The solution to this problem is Green ICT, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of ICT while ensuring its sustenance in the future. Green ICT encompasses the use of energy-efficient hardware and software, as well as the adoption of sustainable practices in ICT operations. By implementing these measures, Higher Education organizations can significantly reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions, while ensuring the reliable and efficient functioning of their ICT infrastructure. One of the key strategies for implementing Green ICT is the use of energy-efficient hardware such as servers, storage devices, and network equipment. These devices are designed to consume less energy while maintaining high performance. In addition, virtualization technologies can be used to consolidate multiple physical servers into fewer, more powerful ones, thereby reducing energy consumption and saving space. Another important strategy is the use of energy-efficient software applications. These applications are designed to consume less energy while maintaining the same level of functionality. For example, cloud-based applications can reduce energy consumption by minimizing the need for local servers and storage devices. In addition to hardware and software, Green ICT also involves the adoption of sustainable practices in ICT operations. These practices include the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal power, as well as the implementation of energy management systems and the adoption of energy-efficient policies and practices. Higher Education organizations can also promote Green ICT by raising awareness among their staff and students. This can be achieved through training programs, workshops, and seminars on Green ICT practices and their benefits. In addition, the organization can encourage the use of eco-friendly ICT devices such as laptops and Smartphone’s that have been designed to consume less energy and emit fewer emissions. Green ICT is a solution for the sustenance of ICT in the future. By implementing energy-efficient hardware and software, adopting sustainable practices in ICT operations, and promoting awareness among staff and students, Higher Education organizations can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring the reliable and efficient functioning of their ICT infrastructure. Green ICT is not only good for the environment, but it also benefits the organization in terms of cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced reputation.

A Web Based Employees’ Cyber Security Ethical Behavior Assessment (ECEBA) Model for Ugandan Commercial Banks

Purpose: Despite the existence of Cyber Security technical controls, checklists, and formal procedures in the banks; there exists no employees’ assessment tool for Cyber Security ethical behavior. This research presents the creation of such a tool. This research aimed at enhancing Cyber Security by developing a Cyber-Security Ethical Behavior Assessment (ECEBA) model.
 Methodology: ECEBA model was used as an experimentation instrument for the development of a web-based application (ETHICA) for assessing Cyber Security ethical behavior. Unified Modelling Language (UML) was used. The ECEBA model followed the reuse concept by customizing the 3-tier architecture of the web application development. The front end interface was done using HTML5 to design the web interfaces of the ETHICA Application. To style the interfaces, CSS3 was used. Then JavaScript was used as a client side script to validate the data before submitting it to the server. AJAX a JavaScript library was used to allow submission and loading of data. Bootstrap was used to achieve responsiveness of the user interfaces. XAMPP a local MySQL server was used to host the database and the system files. Object Oriented PHP was used to act as a GUI to manage data communication between the server and interfaces. PHP Data Object driver class was used to achieve this. SQL was used to write the queries purposely to perform data processing on the server.
 Findings: The ECEBA model was developed. Deployed to the internet via URL http://Cybersecurity.groxels.com. It guided the design of ETHICA Application.
 Recommendation: Ethical behavior questions based on virtue ethical theory, Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Ethical climate theory are fed into the ETHICA Application. This provides a platform for managers in assessing those individuals who may present Cyber security unethical behavior. Banks should give employees opportunity to assess themselves. Banks to use the model in conducting Employee pre-hire screening and periodic assessments of current employees. Banks should integrate the model with other cyber security controls for better ethical decision making & planning.

AN ENHANCED SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE (SAAS) ARCHITECTURAL MODEL FOR CLOUD BASED SECURITY USING HYBRID SYMMETRIC ALGORITHM

Protecting cloud data from security breaches, preventing and ensuring safe cloud data is concealed from unauthorized access or infiltration by unwanted users are all part of cloud infrastructure security. This proposed technique is based on ensuring data confidentiality by adding extra-layer of security from the client side, developing a framework that implements the AES 256-bit key and Fernet 128-bits algorithms, which encrypt and decrypt files via random algorithm selection during uploads and downloads. When a file is uploaded to the cloud, the decryption key is recorded in the local server's file log. The software use randomized algorithm selection to provide security to ensure that an attacker having a prior link cannot reset the user account since the attacker cannot guess the token. Furthermore, invalidating this token ensures that the link cannot be used more than once if it was previously logged anywhere. To propose and verify the efficiency of the model the results generated(in quantitative values) are frequency (monobit) testing, with a minimum bit size of 64, given the P-values derived from the above study (i.e., 0.8838, 0.6187, 0.3768, 0.2817, 0.5843, 0.4167). The findings reveal throughput for encryption of 0.91531 and for decryption of 0.4854, space complexity of 0.4854, and entropy of 7.942616667.This research work studies the design of a robust, adaptable, and non-deterministic SaaS application that can be secure for enterprises and subsequent research studies will be conducted in the development.

PEMBUATAN APLIKASI SISTEM INFORMASI PENGELOLAAN KOMUNITAS KARUTA BERBASIS WEBSITE

The OKAKURA karuta community is a gathering place for Indonesians who are interested in the game. The karuta community has carried out and participated in activities such as karuta training, workshops, and inter-community tournaments. The Website-Based Karuta Community Management Information System Application was created to help Karuta community administrators manage internal data and community members view training results. The lack of management data in the Karuta community creates uncertainty among community members, resulting in ineffective training procedures and data redundancy. Furthermore, because exercise recording is still done manually, community members who are not present cannot view training histories. As a result, a Website-Based Karuta Community Management Information System Application was developed to aid in the recording and management of data as well as the search for training history. The System Development Life Cycle development method was used in the creation of this application (SDLC). The programming languages used are HTML, CSS, and PHP, with MySQL as the database and XAMPP as a local server, resulting in a website application that can assist Karuta community administrators in data processing and makes it easier for community members to view training history.

Teaching the Best Research Data Management Practices to PhD Students

Good Research Data Management (RDM) practices make it easier for researchers to conduct their research and ensure their data is preserved and stored securely for the long-term. Archiving is one of the last stages of Research Data Lifecycle and deals with depositing and preserving datasets at the end of a project in a suitable storage location (repositories, local server, or hard drive). Students may not find data management topic as interesting as their core course topics. This can result in lack of students’ knowledge of the importance and benefits of good data management practices for their studies. At Warwick, I design and deliver Research Data Management & Planning (RDM&P) case study sessions to PhD students. Students learn different elements of RDM and importance of RDM for long-term preservation. Students work in groups to develop and present Data Management Plan (DMP) and put RDM&P learning into practice. In this presentation, I briefly introduce the above case study, feedbacks received from students across different disciplines and further steps.

A Wireless Low-Power Single-Unit Wearable System for Continuous Early Warning Score Calculation

In this work, we present a new device to monitor the five main vital parameters of hospitalized patients: heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure and temperature. The device consists of one single unit placed on the chest with two electrodes connected to the patient. The device continuously acquires the electrocardiogram, 3-wavelength photoplethysmogram, bioimpedance, body temperature and 3-axis acceleration. These raw data are securely sent via a WiFi access point to a local server where algorithms are running to calculate the five vital parameters, combined with the level of activity and the posture. Alarms, live stream, and a real-time estimation of the early warning score used to assess the instantaneous state of a patient are available to nurses to react quickly and adequately if needed. Thanks to its small form factor and weight the device is worn unobtrusively by the patient who can move without being restrained by wires; a small battery ensures an autonomy of a few days. In this paper, the firmware and hardware architectures are detailed comprising the list of the sensors, the main chips used and the casing. The relationships between what the sensors measure and the vital parameters of interest are discussed.

Implementasi dan Digitalisasi Sistem Administrasi Desa di Kantor Desa Kedungcino Kecamatan Jepara

Kedungcino Village is a village located in Jepara District, Jepara Regency. Kedungcino Village is one of the government agencies engaged in community service, but this community service is still not optimal and has many obstacles. One of the obstacles is the availability of village administration information that can be easily accessed by the community and making letters in the village takes quite a long time because it is still manual. People are even more lazy to go to the village office. In the era of digitalization, the Kedungcino Village government really needs a website-based information system application that contains information about the village and administrative services for submitting letters. So that the community will be greatly assisted and services from the Kedungcino Village Government can be carried out optimally. Based on the description of the problem, researchers will conduct research with the title "Implementation and Digitalization of the Village Administration System in the Kedungcino Village Office, Jepara District". This system was built using the waterfall model development method and created using the Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) programming language with the Laravel Framework, MYSQL database and XAMPP as the system's local server. The purpose of this research is to make it easier for the community to receive the latest information, to make it easier for the community to administer the submission of letters and to increase the efficiency of services from the Kedungcino Village Government.

Implementasi E-Catering Pemesanan Makanan Berbasis Website (Studi Kasus Catering Trio Kudus)

Kedungcino Village is a village located in Jepara District, Jepara Regency. Kedungcino Village is one of the government agencies engaged in community service, but this community service is still not optimal and has many obstacles. One of the obstacles is the availability of village administration information that can be easily accessed by the community and making letters in the village takes quite a long time because it is still manual. People are even more lazy to go to the village office. In the era of digitalization, the Kedungcino Village government really needs a website-based information system application that contains information about the village and administrative services for submitting letters. So that the community will be greatly assisted and services from the Kedungcino Village Government can be carried out optimally. Based on the description of the problem, researchers will conduct research with the title "Implementation and Digitalization of the Village Administration System in the Kedungcino Village Office, Jepara District". This system was built using the waterfall model development method and created using the Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) programming language with the Laravel Framework, MYSQL database and XAMPP as the system's local server. The purpose of this research is to make it easier for the community to receive the latest information, to make it easier for the community to administer the submission of letters and to increase the efficiency of services from the Kedungcino Village Government.

IOT-Based Generic Health Monitoring with Cardiac Classification Using Edge Computing

Background: The current environment of modern computation can offer a smart healthcare monitoring for the early prediction of disease detection. For the domain of healthcare services, the Internet of Things (IoT) has a vital role, and also aids in the enhancement of the data’s processing as well as predictions. The transfer of data or reports from one location to another will consume a lot of energy as well as time, and also does result in issues of high energy as well as latency. With edge computing, the disadvantages can be easily resolved. Objectives: This work presents a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based model of prediction which employs edge computing as well as IoT paradigms. The term edge computing will refer to a distributed environment framework that facilitates swift resource accessibility and response times by means of the local edge servers for processing at the end of the IoT devices. With this model, there can be an analysis of the health data which has been gathered by the IoT devices. Additionally, the edge devices will employ the edge servers for offering the patients as well as the doctors health-prediction reports in a timely manner. Methods: This work has proposals of an optimized CNN with Tabu Search (TS), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) as well as the hybrid TS-ABC algorithms. Results: Analysis of these proposed algorithms is done with the parameters of performance such as the rate of error and the accuracy. Also, these algorithms’ simulated outcomes have been able to demonstrate their superior performance in comparison to the other technologically advanced approaches.

Implementation of Facial Recognition System for Metaverse using sbRIO FPGA and NB-IOT Module

Facial recognition is crucial for identity verification in the metaverse, but it requires significant processing and operation overhead. Transmitting high-definition images to a server PC for processing is not feasible in low-capacity, low-bandwidth, or low-processor virtual environments. To overcome these challenges, we developed a narrow-bandwidth framework integrating embedded FPGA technology with a low-power NB-IOTcommunication module. Our approach uses a DNN-based DeepFace model with front face detection and 7-layer DNN convolution result extraction performed on the Zynq FPGA chip of sbRIO , reducing computational overhead and enabling efficient processing. By leveraging NB-IOT's remote transmission capabilities, classification data is transmitted back to the local server for comparison. Our proposed framework improves speed and accuracy while overcoming bandwidth and processing power challenges, making it a promising solution for facial recognition in immersive virtual environments.

A LOW-COST ICT SOLUTION TO SUPPORT VISITORS IN TOURISTIC CAVES

Abstract. This study aims to examine innovative solutions to enhance the tourist experience and visitor localization within the Bossea Cave, one of the most important karstic caves in Italy, located in the municipality of Frabosa Soprana. The lack of advanced technological tools for managing cave structures and modernizing visitor tours creates a significant opportunity for the integration of new technologies. The researchers propose a low-cost and modular hardware infrastructure, consisting of a series of single-board computers distributed throughout the cave, acting as local web servers to provide visitors with customizable multimedia content, accessible through a web application on their personal devices via a local Wi-Fi network. This infrastructure also enables visitor localization based on their connection point within the cave, with the additional goal of testing the ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technology in this complex and humid environment. The UWB technology offers high-precision localization, even in indoor environments and caves, where GNSS signals are not available. Overall, the study provides a promising solution to enhance the visitor experience and offers opportunities for cave management and research.

Secure Smart Contract Based on Blockchain to Prevent the Non-Repudiation Phenomenon

Blockchain is an innovative technology that has gained interest in all sectors in the era of digital transformation where it manages transactions and saves them in a database. With the increasing financial transactions and the rapidly developed society with growing businesses many people looking for the dream of a better financially independent life, stray from large corporations and organizations to form startups and small businesses. Recently, the increasing demand for employees or institutes to prepare and manage contracts, papers, and the verifications process, in addition to human mistakes led to the emergence of a smart contract. The smart contract has been developed to save time and provide more confidence while dealing, as well as to cover the security aspects of digital management and to solve negotiation concerns. The smart contract was employed in creating a distributed ledger to eliminate the need for centralization. In this paper, a simple prototype has been implemented for the smart contract integrated with blockchain which is simulated in a local server with a set of nodes. Several security objectives, such as confidentiality, authorization, integrity, and non-repudiation, have been achieved in the proposed system. Besides, the paper discussed the importance of using the Blockchain technique, and how it contributed to the management of transactions in addition to how it was implemented in highly transparent real-estate scenarios. The smart contract was employed in creating a distributed ledger to eliminate the need for centralization. The elliptic-curve public key has been adopted as an alternative for the RSA in a signature generation/verification process and encryption protocol. For secure transactions, The Secure Socket Layer (SSL) also has been adopted as a secure layer in the web browser. The results have been investigated and evaluated from different aspects and the implementation was in a restricted environment. Experiments showed us the complexity of time and cost when using the (ECC) algorithm and using (RSA) algorithm depending on the size and length of the key. So if the size of the key in (ECC) equals (160) bits, and it corresponds to (1024) bits in (RSA), which is equivalent to 40% for (ECC) and 30% for (RSA). As a result, the (ECC) algorithm is complex, its key is smaller and the process of generating the key is faster, so it has achieved a high level of security.

Optimization of the Join between Large Tables in the Spark Distributed Framework

The Join task between Spark large tables takes a long time to run and produces a lot of disk I/O, network I/O and disk occupation in the Shuffle process. This paper proposes a lightweight distributed data filtering model that combines broadcast variables and accumulators using RoaringBitmap. When the data in the two tables are not exactly matched, the dimension table Key is collected through the accumulator, compressed by RoaringBitmap and distributed to each node using broadcast variables. The distributed fact table data can be pre-filtered on the local server, which effectively reduces the data transmission and disk reading and writing in the Shuffle phase. Experimental results show that this optimization method can reduce disk usage, shorten the running time and reduce network I/O and disk I/O for Spark Join tasks in the case of massive data, and the effect is more obvious when the two tables have a higher incomplete matching degree or a fixed matching degree but a larger amount of data. This optimization scheme has the advantages of being easy to use, being easy to maintain and having an obvious effect, and it can be applied to many development scenarios.

Secured Transfer and Storage Image Data for Cloud Communications

In cloud computing, resources are used to communicate instead of local servers or individual devices. However, sharing resources among several users is a difficult issue in cloud communication. Cryptography and steganography techniques are used for cloud storage to address data security challenges. This paper presents a novel method for securely encrypting image data for transmission and link exchange with a cloud storage service. There are two phases to accomplish the encryption process, the first phase encrypts the image file by XORing it with a random key that is generated by a new hybrid of the chaotic map. The second phase converts the encrypted image format to audio format to add another layer of security and improve secure image data transfer. The random key is generated using a hybrid chaotic map and has the benefit of having more than 10256 key spaces and the necessary level of security. Based on a statistical analysis of the encryption, the quality of the image is evaluated using several criteria, and the results demonstrate the algorithm's ability to accomplish resist encryption

A BCI framework for smart home automation using EEG signal

Since the first recording in 1924, modern developments in technology have enabled human electroencephalogram (EEG) acquisition as a non-invasive process, enabling a multitude of opportunities to learn about human brain dynamics. With the capability to tap into localized brain dynamics, it is possible to correlate event-related potentials such as meditation, concentration, and motor control with localized brain activities, opening up a broad spectrum for exploration and implementation in prosthetic, control, and brain computer interfaces. In this work, an attempt has been made to explore human emotions and other intelligent states that can be interpreted to automate and control electrical appliances for differently abled people. A smart home automation model has been designed and implemented using a Think Gear Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) Module (TGAM) EEG sensor module integrated with a Bluetooth module, which serves as the core for control applications. A combination of external triggers and brain states are interpreted and forwarded to gain control of the connected appliances via a local server over the internet. Equipped with internet connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT), the system also facilitates long-distance communication and control, which can be easily translated to industrial control and automation applications. Based on a single-channel analog EEG signal acquisition module, this study details the development of a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) control and monitoring system for smart home automation with blink and attention features. The designed BCI system has a large bandwidth of 400 Hz, an easy setup, Morphological Component Analysis (MCA) based blink detection, monitoring, control of devices, and high accuracy at a low cost. Each subject completed three trials separated by one minute. The smart devices underwent testing in two states, namely on and off. The response time and accuracy of the system were recorded for each trial. The average system response time for the devices was determined to be 17.13 sec for switching ON and 20.66 sec for switching OFF, with an accuracy of 98.73% and 95.75% for ON and OFF states respectively.

Incentive-Based Distributed Resource Allocation for Task Offloading and Collaborative Computing in MEC-Enabled Networks

Computing tasks offloaded from user devices (UDs) can be carried out by one or more mobile edge computing (MEC) servers to alleviate the computing burden of UDs. The incentive is needed to encourage MEC servers to provide their computing services to other network nodes. In this paper, inspired by the fact that bargaining games have the available features of incentive, self-enforcement, and satisfaction for all participants, we propose a two-level bargaining-based incentive mechanism for task offloading and collaborative computing in MEC-enabled networks. In the first-level bargaining between UDs and local MEC server (LMECS), both UDs and LMECS try to maximize their respective offloading utilities, which are all defined as a saved-cost function considering the time and energy consumption of task execution, and computing service fees. The task offloading decision, uplink transmitting power of UDs, computing resource allocation of LMECS, and the fees paid by UDs to LMECS are jointly optimized. When large computing tasks are offloaded to LMECS, which results in LMECS overload, the second-level bargaining is proposed to achieve a computing load balance of LMECS and maximize the respective collaboration utilities of LMECS and collaborative MEC server group (CMECG), in which the optimized normalized fees paid by LMECS to CMECG for additional computing resources are obtained. The first-level and the second-level bargainings are proved to be quasi-concave and concave respectively and each has a unique Nash bargaining solution (NBS). The simulation results show that the proposed method gets better performance than benchmark methods.

PERANCANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI PENGARSIPAN BUKTI TRANSAKSI PEMBAYARAN BERBASIS WEB DI PT NUSANTARA TURBIN DAN PROPULSI

PT Nusantara Turbine and Propulsion is a company engaged in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of gas turbines on an airplane engine. The research conducted to design Payment Transaction Proof Filing Information System at PT Nusantara Turbine and Propulsion with the aim of producing a web-based application that plays a role in digitally collecting documents that were previously done manually. The research method for developing these applications uses SDLC (Problem identification, Data analysis, Design, Testing, Implementation, and Maintenance) & UML. This web application uses MYSQL & APACHE as a local server and is created using PHPRAD. UML plays a role in representing the workflow of a system. The result of this research is a web-based proof of payment transaction archiving application that aims to make it easier for workers when archiving, such as searching and storing documents so that it can be done digitally.