On Developing Hybrid Modeling Methods using Metamodeling Platforms

It has been acknowledged that model-based approaches and domain-specific modeling (DSM) languages, methods and tools are beneficial for the engineering of increasingly complex systems and software. Instead of general-purpose one-size-fits-all modeling languages, DSM methods facilitate model-based analysis and design of complex systems by providing modeling concepts tailored to the specific problem domain. Furthermore, hybrid DSM methods combine single DSM methods into integrated modeling methods, to allow for multi-perspective modeling. Metamodeling platforms provide flexible means for design and implementation of such hybrid modeling methods and appropriate domain-specific modeling tools. In this paper, we report on the conceptualization of a hybrid DSM method in the domain of network physical devices management, and its implementation based on the ADOxx metamodeling platform. The method introduces a hybrid modeling approach. A dedicated DSM language (DSML) is used to model the structure of physical devices and their configurations, whereas the formal language for knowledge representation OWL2 is used to specify configuration-related constraints. The outcome of the work is a hybrid, semantic technology-enabled DSM tool that allows for efficient and consistency-preserving model-based configuration of network equipment.