Browsing by Author "Borky, John M., committee member"

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Open Access
Cloud Computing cost and energy optimization through Federated Cloud SoS
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Biran, Yahav, author; Collins, George J., advisor; Pasricha, Sudeep, advisor; Young, Peter, committee member; Borky, John M., committee member; Zimmerle, Daniel J., committee member
The two most significant differentiators amongst contemporary Cloud Computing service providers have increased green energy use and datacenter resource utilization. This work addresses these two issues from a system's architectural optimization viewpoint. The proposed approach herein, allows multiple cloud providers to utilize their individual computing resources in three ways by: (1) cutting the number of datacenters needed, (2) scheduling available datacenter grid energy via aggregators to reduce costs and power outages, and lastly by (3) utilizing, where appropriate, more renewable and carbon-free energy sources. Altogether our proposed approach creates an alternative paradigm for a Federated Cloud SoS approach. The proposed paradigm employs a novel control methodology that is tuned to obtain both financial and environmental advantages. It also supports dynamic expansion and contraction of computing capabilities for handling sudden variations in service demand as well as for maximizing usage of time varying green energy supplies. Herein we analyze the core SoS requirements, concept synthesis, and functional architecture with an eye on avoiding inadvertent cascading conditions. We suggest a physical architecture that diminishes unwanted outcomes while encouraging desirable results. Finally, in our approach, the constituent cloud services retain their independent ownership, objectives, funding, and sustainability means. This work analyzes the core SoS requirements, concept synthesis, and functional architecture. It suggests a physical structure that simulates the primary SoS emergent behavior to diminish unwanted outcomes while encouraging desirable results. The report will analyze optimal computing generation methods, optimal energy utilization for computing generation as well as a procedure for building optimal datacenters using a unique hardware computing system design based on the openCompute community as an illustrative collaboration platform. Finally, the research concludes with security features cloud federation requires to support to protect its constituents, its constituents tenants and itself from security risks.
Open Access
Evaluation of a model-based approach to accrediting United States government information technology systems following the authorization to operate process
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Sanchez, Edan Christopher, author; Bradley, Thomas H., advisor; Borky, John M., committee member; Sega, Ronald, committee member; Zhao, Jianguo, committee member
This research project explores Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology as a modernized, alternative strategy to improve the United States Government's (USG) accreditation processes and procedures for accepting new/updated information systems. While the primary goal is to significantly accelerate the transition of advanced technology to operational environments, it is imperative that we take advantage of the potential benefits realized through the implementation of a model-based process. While this dissertation primarily focuses on defense systems within the USG domain, the principles discussed are applicable in a broader context. This research focuses on the application of MBSE to defense Information Technology (IT) systems, or simply Information Systems (IS) that requires an Authorization to Operate (ATO). Currently, the security accreditation process for obtaining an ATO for Government systems is primarily document-centric. This approach often leads to frequent schedule overruns, significantly increasing costs and negatively impacting stakeholders. This issue is particularly pronounced for large, software- and data-intensive systems, such as those utilized by the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence, and command and control (C2) operations. The complexity of authorization is significantly magnified when systems incorporate third-party applications requiring independent accreditation, creating cascading dependencies that impact overall system security and deployment timelines, as well as for real-time systems that must meet stringent cybersecurity requirements while adhering to strict process deadlines. Mission effectiveness is compromised when operators and end users experience delays in accessing essential tools. The trend toward implementing these types of IT systems is accelerating, highlighting the urgent need to enhance their authorization processes. The proposed approach aims to capture the existing ATO process using a formal Systems Modeling Language (SysML) model. This model will facilitate an analysis to identify bottlenecks, redundant activities, missing interfaces, and other areas of concern. Once the model is developed and analyzed, corrective actions and proposed improvements will be introduced to enhance the process model. The potential benefits will be quantified in terms of speed-to-operations, particularly regarding schedules, as well as improvements in consistency and efficiency throughout the end-to-end process, ultimately leading to a potential reduction in overall system costs. Furthermore, the anticipated gains will be validated through modeling and analysis of the enhanced process as applied to a representative IT system, also represented in SysML. This modeled IT system will reflect the cloud-centric environments currently found in operational contexts, utilizing approved tools and technologies available to development contractors. This research will assess the impact of MBSE on the ATO. It aims to measure MBSE's effectiveness in mitigating inconsistencies, streamlining system deployment timelines, enhancing quality, reducing costs, and delivering other advantages in this practical context. The conclusions drawn from this study will establish a framework for investing in the modernization of the ATO towards a systems-engineered, model-based approach, particularly within the realm of USG systems development. The model-based ATO process will facilitate integration with the federal Digital Engineering (DE) transformation as DE continues to broaden its presence within the federal systems engineering landscape.
Open Access
Space communications responsive to events across missions (SCREAM): an investigation of network solutions for transient science space systems
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Roberts, Christopher J., author; Bradley, Thomas H., advisor; Sega, Ronald M., committee member; Borky, John M., committee member; Reising, Steven C., committee member
The National Academies have prioritized the pursuit of new scientific discoveries using diverse and temporally coordinated measurements from multiple ground and space-based observatories. Networked communications can enable such measurements by connecting individual observatories and allowing them to operate as a cohesive and purposefully designed system. Timely data flows across terrestrial and space communications networks are required to observe transient scientific events and processes. Currently, communications to space-based observatories experience large latencies due to manual service reservation and scheduling procedures, intermittent signal coverage, and network capacity constraints. If space communications network latencies could be reduced, new discoveries about dynamic scientific processes could be realized. However, science mission and network planners lack a systematic framework for defining, quantifying and evaluating timely space data flow implementation options for transient scientific observation scenarios involving multiple ground and space-based observatories. This dissertation presents a model-based systems engineering approach to investigate and develop network solutions to meet the needs of transient science space systems. First, a systematic investigation of the current transient science operations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) space data network and the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory resulted in a formal architectural model for transient science space systems. Two methods individual missions may use to achieve timely network services were defined, quantitatively modeled, and experimentally compared. Next, the architectural model was extended to describe two alternative ways to achieve timely and autonomous space data flows to multiple space-based observatories within the context of a purposefully designed transient science observation scenario. A quantitative multipoint space data flow modeling method based in queueing theory was defined. General system suitability metrics for timeliness, throughput, and capacity were specified to support the evaluation of alternative network data flow implementations. A hypothetical design study was performed to demonstrate the multipoint data flow modeling method and to evaluate alternative data flow implementations using TDRS. The merits of a proposed future TDRS broadcast service to implement multipoint data flows were quantified and compared to expected outcomes using the as-built TDRS network. Then, the architectural model was extended to incorporate commercial network service providers. Quantitative models for Globalstar and Iridium short messaging data services were developed based on publicly available sources. Financial cost was added to the set of system suitability metrics. The hypothetical design study was extended to compare the relative suitability of the as-built TDRS network with the commercial Globalstar and Iridium networks. Finally, results from this research are being applied by NASA missions and network planners. In 2020, Swift implemented the first automated command pipeline, increasing its expected gravitational wave follow-up detection rate by greater than 400%. Current NASA technology initiatives informed by this research will enable future space-based observatories to become interoperable sensing devices connected by a diverse ecosystem of network service providers.
Open Access
System level risk analysis of electromagnetic environmental effects and lightning effects in aircraft -- steady state and transient
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Lee, James Y., author; Collins, George J., advisor; Borky, John M., committee member; Cale, James L., committee member; Ackerson, Christopher J., committee member
This dissertation is an investigation of the system level risk of electromagnetic and lightning effects in aircraft. It begins with an analysis to define a system, and a discussion of emergence as a characteristic of a system. Against this backdrop, risk is defined as an undesirable emergent property of a system. A procedure to translate the system level non-functional attributes to lower level functional requirements is developed. With this foundation, a model for risk analysis, resolution and management is developed by employing the standard risk model. The developed risk model is applied to evaluation of electromagnetic environmental effects and lightning effects in aircraft. Examples are shown to demonstrate the validity of the model. Object Process Methodology and systems thinking principles are used extensively throughout this work. The dissertation concludes with a summary and suggestions for additional work.