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Chapter 2. Related Work/Fundamentals 22

2.4. Middleware

Middleware describes software that facilitates data exchange between applications within the same

environment, or across diﬀerent hardware and network environments. It forms an abstraction layer

that hides complexity and allows communication, without having detailed knowledge of the internal

structure of the opposite site [16]. In addition, middlewares often come with tools and services to

manage, monitor and administrate the system. This allows the developer to create independent

modules, as the software no longer needs to consist of one single part. These software modules

will be recognized externally as one unit, making distribution transparent [17]. This simpliﬁes

programming, since the total complexity is reduced, and the development process optimized. It

also relieves the actual application software, as the program and the middleware can be handled

separately. However, many middleware systems are very complex and therefore diﬃcult to manage.

Small programs can be overwhelmed by greater middleware, as the middleware could easily be

the multiple size of the program itself. Further disadvantages are the reduced overall performance

and the increased consumption of resources.

Middleware

Hardware

Driver Software

Figure 2.14.: Middleware as an communication layer between software, hardware and a driver.

Middleware is particularly useful as a connection in distributed systems, such as Intelligent Envi-

ronments with access from smart phones and tablet PCs [18]. Many types of middleware have

been proposed to be used in such systems, but none has been accepted as standard yet [19]. This

is partly caused by either the lack of special functionality or by a great plenitude of already existing

systems on the market, which makes it diﬃcult to ﬁnd acceptance for new solutions. In addi-

tion, a vast amount of constant work is needed to maintain a middleware over time to maintain

its compatibility with the latest computing trends. Examples for middleware are frameworks like

.NET, Web services, print servers and drivers, as well as general middleware like CARMEN [20],

GAIA [21] and MundoCore [22].

2.4.1. Example Middleware

This section introduces selected middleware systems which are suitable for Intelligent Environments

or Home Automation.

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