SLA contract for cross-layer monitoring and adaptation

Abstract

This paper discusses a framework for Service Level Agreement (SLA) contracts for Service Based Applications (SBA) with respect to customers' goals seen as an important part of such contracts. Within standard SLA contracts concepts, as mutual agreements between service providers and users, we introduce Key Goal Indicators (KGIs). These are parameters that state how well service-based processes achieve the customers' goals. The SLA contract includes parameters of KPI, KGI and IT infrastructure type. Possible violations of each type are checked in the monitoring phase and an action is taken to adapt the violated condition through an adaptation mechanism. We describe the phases of a methodology for creating, monitoring, and adapting an SLA contract, in particular, leveraging aspects of Quality of Service (QoS) violations. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.