Formalization Of Input And Output In Modern Operating Systems: The Hadley Model

We present the Hadley model, a formal descriptive model of input and output for modern computer operating systems. Our model is intentionally inspired by the Open Systems Interconnection model of networking; I/O as a process is defined as a set of translations between a set of computer-sensible forms, or layers, of information. To illustrate an initial application domain, we discuss the utility of the Hadley model and a potential associated I/O system as a tool for digital forensic investigators. To illustrate practical uses of the Hadley model we present the Hadley Specification Language, an essentially functional language designed to allow the translations that comprise I/O to be written in a concise format allowing for relatively easy verifiability. To further illustrate the utility of the language we present a read/write Microsoft DOS FAT12 and read-only Linux ext2 file system specification written in the new format. We prove the correctness of the read-only side of these descriptions. We present test results from operation of our HSL-driven system both in user mode on stored disk images and as part of a Linux kernel module allowing file systems to be read. We conclude by discussing future directions for the research.

Author dc:creator

• Gerber, Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Leeson, John

• hadley system
• operating systems
• software verification
• software reliability
• device drivers
• digital investigation
• Computer Sciences
• Engineering

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

CFE0000392

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:etd-1323