CloudExplorer: A User-Centered Cloud Browser for Cloud Services

A user-centered cloud browser, i.e., CloudExplorer, is proposed to discover, process and execute emerging cloud services, as Web browsers are used to search and display Web information. CloudExplorer 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) CloudExplorer is personalized and each people can be provided with a private CloudExplorer; (ii) CloudExplorer discovers services based on user models and using semantic & composite service search techniques; (iii) CloudExplorer support service package customization and execution with users' interaction; (iv) CloudExplorer is located and associated with a person, and keeps the person's individual information; (v) CloudExplorer 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 CloudExplorer are discussed. Based on the previous work, the browser has been prototyped to address several service-oriented application issues.