Interceptors for Java Remote Method Invocation

An interceptor is a software mechanism that provides the hooks that are nee ded to introduce additional code dynamically into the execution path of an application. By exploiting interceptors, developers can enhance and potenti ally modify the behavior of an application at runtime without having to rev ise or recompile the application code. We have identified three distinct in terception points for the Java Remote Method Invocation (JavaRMI) model, at the proxy level, the transport level and the shared library level of the J avaRMI model. The interceptors implemented at these interception points emp loy the DynamicProxy API, the RMISocketFactory API, and a library mediation approach, respectively. Our interceptor implementations are novel in that they are transparent to the application, add nominal latency overheads and are easy to deploy, requiring only minimal modifications to the application . We describe how the interceptors can be exploited to introduce additional services (such as logging and profiling mechanisms) to the JavaRMI runtime . In particular, we describe the use of interceptors in the Aroma System to enhance the existing JavaRMI model with support for fault-tolerance throug h the consistent replication of JavaRMI objects. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wi ley & Sons, Ltd.