Distributed Electronic Mailing Distributed Electronic Mailing SystemSystem

Research & Development:Research & Development:Bercovici SivanBercovici Sivan

Instructor:Instructor:Frishman YanivFrishman Yaniv

Project goalsProject goalsConstruct a distributed e-mail system that:Construct a distributed e-mail system that:

• Uses Time-Shared StorageUses Time-Shared Storage• DecentralizedDecentralized• ScalableScalable• Fault-tolerantFault-tolerant• Optimized (both time and space)Optimized (both time and space)• Attack immuneAttack immune• Has monitoring abilitiesHas monitoring abilities

Classic E-Mail System DesignClassic E-Mail System Design

Internet

Internet

SMTPSMTP

•Centric design – all communication pass through servers

•Communication and storage stress on the server

•Scalability issues

•Single point of failure

•Wasteful in term of attachments

ArchitectureArchitecture

InternetInternet

• Mailboxes travel on online computers

• Mail is sent directly between participating mailboxes

• Mobile light servers resolve mailbox references

• Mobile attachments, sent as links and not copies

Features Features 1.1. ScalableScalable

2.2. Communication optimizationCommunication optimization

3.3. Server load balancingServer load balancing

4.4. Fault-tolerant servers (by replication)Fault-tolerant servers (by replication)

5.5. Self-regenerating clientSelf-regenerating client

6.6. Lazy attachmentsLazy attachments

Based on FarGo infrastructure (Dr. Ben Shaul)

System ComponentsSystem ComponentsDispatch unit (light-weight server) GUI offers a way to monitor the system activity – online users, mailbox locations and available dispatch units

Through this element one can compose a mail and send it directly to another distant mailbox (without going through a server)

Mailbox GUI allows a user to review and interact with personal mail items

A flexible integrated environment that offers administrative and development tools