@conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2016, title = {Towards performance-oriented perfective evolution of BPMN models}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2016 Spring Simulation Multiconference - TMS/DEVS Symposium on Theory of Modeling and Simulation, TMS/DEVS 2016}, year = {2016}, note = {cited By 0}, publisher = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, organization = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, abstract = {

Simulation techniques are successfully applied to analyze and validate the performance of a business process (BP) since the early phases of its lifecycle, when the BP representation is commonly specified in BPMN. The BP simulation model is first to be built from the BPMN model, then implemented and finally executed to yield the performance indices of interest. The model building activity includes a parameterization task that is carried out either by use of tool-specific facilities or through standardized languages for specifying simulation model parameters. In both cases, the parameters have to be externally linked to the BPMN model. A similar reasoning applies to the simulation results. This paper introduces a BPMN extension to annotate BPMN models with both the input parameters and the results provided by the BP analysis, so as to include in a single BPMN model all the data associated to the simulation-based analysis of a given BP. The paper also outlines an architecture that exploits the proposed extension to realize the performance-oriented perfective evolution of BPMN models, or the ability to introduce a feedback chain that makes use of simulation results to automatically refactor a BP model in order to better meet the BP performance objectives. {\textcopyright}2016 Society for Modeling \& Simulation International (SCS).

}, keywords = {BPMN, Business Process, Circuit simulation, Performance indices, Performance objective, Performance-oriented, Simulation, Simulation technique, Simulation-based analysis, Software architecture, Software engineering}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978142027\&partnerID=40\&md5=d9a565c888c8c352dcbe3e6d0a81d2ac}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Paglia, E. and Bocciarelli, P. and Giglio, A.}, editor = {Barros F., Hu X., Denil J., Prahofer H.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2015213, title = {A model-driven framework for distributed simulation of autonomous systems}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {47}, number = {8}, year = {2015}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {213-220}, publisher = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, organization = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, abstract = {

The adoption of systems with autonomous capabilities is becoming more and more relevant in many real-world operational scenarios, in which risky operations have to be carried out (e.g., a military battlefield or a search-and-rescue operation). In this context, innovative approaches should be introduced at design time to ensure that the system will achieve the mission objectives at operation time. To this purpose, distributed simulation techniques have shown to be effective to deal with the inherent complexity of the environment to be simulated, which generally includes several interacting entities. Unfortunately, currently available distributed simulation standards, such as HLA (High Level Architecture), require a non-negligible effort and significant skills in terms of both simulation methodologies and related implementation technologies. In this respect, this paper focuses on the simulationbased analysis of systems with autonomous capabilities and introduces a model-driven approach to support the automated generation of HLA-based distributed simulations. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and allows system designers to carry out a timely and cost-effective simulation-based analysis of the operational system without being required to own specific distributed simulation skills. {\textcopyright} 2015 Society for Modeling \& Simulation International (SCS).

}, keywords = {Autonomous systems, Cost effectiveness, Distributed simulation techniques, Distributed simulations, MDA, Model driven development, Model transformation technique, Search and rescue operations, Simulation-based analysis, Software architecture}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84928155948\&partnerID=40\&md5=9e8205a446169e040469dff647e9cfa3}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Giglio, A. and Paglia, E.}, editor = {Wang M.H., Barros F., D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio A., Zacharewicz G.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2014278, title = {Empowering business process simulation through automated model transformations}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {46}, number = {4}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 2}, pages = {278-286}, publisher = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, organization = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, abstract = {Simulation is one of the most relevant techniques that can be used in the business process management domain to effectively enact a continuous enhancement of business processes (BPs). However, the effectiveness of BP simulation is still limited for several reasons (e.g., lack of simulation know-how of BP analysts, simulation model parameters hard to determine, semantic gap between the business process model and the simulation model). To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes a model-driven method that introduces a set of model transformations to automate the generation of executable simulation code of a BP from its abstract definition in BPMN, the standard language for specifying business processes. The simulation code is specified in eBPMN, a Java-based domain-specific language that has been designed and implemented according to the BPMN execution semantics.}, keywords = {Administrative data processing, BPM, BPMN, Computer simulation, Computer simulation languages, EBPMN, Enterprise resource management, Mathematical models, MDA, Model transformation, Problem oriented languages, Semantics, Software architecture, Technology transfer}, isbn = {9781632662156}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901985241\&partnerID=40\&md5=ebb5d7bb28209e8901e06a4b70f40735}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Giglio, A. and Paglia, E. and Gianni, D.} } @conference {Bocciarelli201448, title = {A methodological template for model driven systems engineering}, booktitle = {CEUR Workshop Proceedings}, volume = {1300}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {48-58}, publisher = {CEUR-WS}, organization = {CEUR-WS}, abstract = {The advent of formal modeling languages (e.g., UML and SysML) and system architecture frameworks (e.g., DoDAF and MODAF) has given systems engineers the ability to effectively describe the requirements as well as the behavior and the structure of systems. Approaches founded on the use of modeling languages and frameworks are grouped under the banner of MBSE (Model Based Systems Engineering). The basic idea is that a model evolves over the system development life-cycle, until it becomes the built-to baseline. In this paper, we consider a modeling approach based on the use of a metamodeling architecture that focuses on the use of models as the primary artifacts of system development. We specifically address the use of MDA (Model Driven Architecture), which allows to increase the level of automation when evolving models from the very abstract representation of a system down to the system implementation, thus making easier (i.e., at reduced cost and effort) the analysis, development and testing activities. By applying MDA concepts and standards to MBSE approaches we obtain what we refer to as MDSE (Model Driven Systems Engineering). The paper illustrates a methodological template for MDSE and shows its application to the development of a software-intensive system. Copyright {\textcopyright} held by the authors.}, keywords = {Abstract representation, Application programs, Development and testing, Formal modeling language, Level of automations, Life cycle, MDA(model driven architecture), Model-based systems engineering, Software architecture, Software design, Software intensive systems, Standards, System implementation, Systems engineering}, issn = {16130073}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84915806250\&partnerID=40\&md5=bd972de1f5baef3c33fbef58e187c81d}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Caponi, E. and Giglio, A. and Paglia, E.}, editor = {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio A., Leardi C., Arrichiello V., Garro A., Poloni C., Tundis A.} } @article {Bocciarelli2014573, title = {A model-driven method for enacting the design-time QoS analysis of business processes}, journal = {Software and Systems Modeling}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 6}, pages = {573-598}, publisher = {Springer Verlag}, abstract = {

Business Process Management (BPM) is a holistic approach for describing, analyzing, executing, managing, and improving large enterprise business processes. A business process can be seen as a flow of tasks that are orchestrated to accomplish well-defined goals such as goods production or services delivery. From an IT perspective, BPM is closely related to a business process automation approach carried out by use of IT standards and technologies, such as service-oriented architectures (SOAs) and Web Services. This paper specifically focuses on fully automated business processes that are defined and executed as orchestrations of software services. In a BPM context, the ability to predict at design time the business process behavior assumes a strategic relevance, both to early assess whether or not the business goals are achieved and to gain a competitive advantage. A business process is typically specified by use of Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), the standard language for the high-level description of business processes. Unfortunately, BPMN does not support the characterization of the business process in terms of nonfunctional or QoS properties, such as performance and reliability. To overcome such a limitation, this paper introduces Performability-enabled BPMN (PyBPMN), a lightweight BPMN extension for the specification of performance and reliability properties. PyBPMN enables the design time prediction of the business processes behavior, in terms of performance and reliability properties. Such prediction activity requires the use of models that are to be first built and then evaluated. In this respect, this work introduces a model-driven method that exploits PyBPMN to predict, at design time, the performance and the reliability of a business process, either to select the process configuration that provides the best behavior or to check if a given configuration satisfies the overall requirements. The proposed model-driven method that enacts the automated analysis of a business process behavior embraces the complete business process development cycle, from the specification phase down to the implementation phase. The paper also describes how the proposed model-driven method is implemented. The several model transformations at the core of the method have been implemented by use of QVT, and the standard language for specifying model transformations provided by OMG{\textquoteright}s MDA. The availability of such automated model transformations allows business analysts to predict the process behavior with no extra effort and without being required to own specific skills of performance or reliability theory, as shown by use of an example application. {\textcopyright} 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

}, keywords = {Administrative data processing, Automation, Availability, BPMN, Business Process, Competition, Design, Enterprise resource management, Forecasting, High level languages, Information services, LQN, Mathematical models, MDA, Performance, Quality of service, Reliability, Service oriented architecture (SOA), Software architecture, Specifications, Web services}, issn = {16191366}, doi = {10.1007/s10270-013-0345-5}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84899754418\&partnerID=40\&md5=ac7ae348f9d39ccb87a9aedb7d7524bd}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Bocciarelli2012266, title = {Automated performance analysis of business processes}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {44}, number = {4 BOOK}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 7}, pages = {266-274}, abstract = {Business processes (BPs) can be seen as flows of tasks that are orchestrated to accomplish well-defined goals. The ability to predict at design time the BP behavior assumes a strategic relevance, both to early assess whether or not the business goals are achieved and to gain a competitive advantage. This paper focuses on the performance prediction of BPs. Specifically, this work introduces a model-driven method that, starting from a performance-enabled description of a BP, first derives a BP performance model of EQN (Extended Queueing Network) type, and then generates and executes the EQN model implementation, thus enacting a fully automated analysis of the business process behavior. The performance model implementation is carried out by use of jEQN, a java-based domain specific language for specifying and executing EQN models. The paper also describes how the proposed model-driven method has been effectively implemented.}, keywords = {BPMN, Business Process, Competition, Computer simulation, EQN, Java programming language, jEQN, MDA, Performance, Software architecture}, isbn = {9781618397867}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84876469347\&partnerID=40\&md5=1912c0d789945a9c91c8ebe913ccaddf}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Bocciarelli201249, title = {A model-driven approach to build HLA-based distributed simulations from SysML models}, booktitle = {SIMULTECH 2012 - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 6}, pages = {49-60}, abstract = {The analysis and design of complex systems, which very often are composed of several sub-systems, takes advantages by the use of distributed simulation techniques. Unfortunately, the development of distributed simulation systems requires a significant expertise and a considerable effort for the inherent complexity of available standards, such as HLA. This paper introduces a model-driven approach to support the automated generation of HLA-based distributed simulations starting from system descriptions specified by use of SysML (Systems Modeling Language), the UML-based general purpose modeling language for systems engineering. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and relies on standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The method exploits several UML models that embody the details required to support two transformations that automatically map the source SysML model into a HLA-specific model and then use the latter to generate the Java/HLA source code. To this purpose, this paper also introduces two UML profiles, used to annotate UML diagrams in order both to represent HLA-based details and to support the automated generation of the HLA-based simulation code.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, HLA, Model-driven, QVT, Simulation, Software architecture, SysML, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {9789898565204}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84867729868\&partnerID=40\&md5=fafd37b90daa458cc5075061c63c5357}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Fabiani, G.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2011160, title = {A BPMN extension for modeling non functional properties of business processes}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {43}, number = {1 BOOK 4}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 27}, pages = {160-168}, abstract = {Business Process Management (BPM) is an holistic approach for describing, analyzing, executing, managing and improving large enterprise business processes, which can be seen as collections of related tasks executed to accomplish well-defined goals. This paper introduces a notation for the description of a business process in terms of both functional and non-functional properties, specifically addressing the performance and reliability characterization of a business process. In the BPM context, the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is the de-facto standard for the high-level description of business processes. Unfortunately BPMN does not support the characterization of the business process in terms of non-functional properties such as performance and reliability. To overcome such limitation, this paper introduces PyBPMN (Performability-enabled BPMN), a lightweight BPMN extension for the specification of properties that address both performance and reliability. The proposed extension is based on an approach that exploits principles and standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA), thus obtaining significant advantages in terms of easy customization and improved automation. The paper also presents an example application of the proposed extension to show how it enables the automated transformation of a business process model into a parameterized performance model whose execution gives insights about the process behavior.}, keywords = {Administrative data processing, BPMN, Business Process, Business process management, Business process model, Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), Computer simulation, Enterprise resource management, MDA, Model driven architectures, Performance and reliabilities, Reliability, Software architecture, Systems engineering}, isbn = {9781617828386}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887029950\&partnerID=40\&md5=286bf26106c501019949590c37d312e2}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2011155, title = {A model transformation approach for the development of HLA-based distributed simulation systems}, booktitle = {SIMULTECH 2011 - Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 3}, pages = {155-160}, abstract = {The development of HLA-based distributed simulation systems requires a significant expertise and a considerable effort for the inherent complexity of the HLA standard. This paper introduces an automated approach for the development of HLA-based simulation systems of higher quality at largely reduced time, effort and cost. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and relies on standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The proposed approach takes as input a UML model of the system to be simulated and yields as output both an intermediate UML model and the final code of the HLA-based distributed simulation system.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation systems, High level architecture, HLA, MDA, Model driven development, Model transformation, Software architecture, Standardization, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {9789898425782}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80052596859\&partnerID=40\&md5=97f5284df768d7865992d397a976c663}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G. and Pieroni, A. and Gianni, D.} } @article {Gianni2011819, title = {A software architecture to ease the development of distributed simulation systems}, journal = {SIMULATION}, volume = {87}, number = {9}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 13}, pages = {819-836}, abstract = {The simulation of modern systems may require an amount of computational resources that might not be available on a single host. Distributed simulation (DS) provides an effective way to scale up for the increased computational requirements. However, using existing DS environments remains the main obstacle to the wide adoption of DS systems, because of their inherent complexity. This complexity can be quantitatively shown by the extra effort that the development of DS systems requires compared to the development of conventional local simulation (LS) systems. In this paper we introduce SimArch, a layered architecture that eases the development of DS systems by enabling simulation developers to effortlessly obtain a DS system or derive a DS system from the equivalent LS one. A reference model is used throughout the paper to illustrate the use of SimArch in the development of DS systems and to prove how the DS development effort is lowered down with respect to the use of a conventional DS environment. {\textcopyright} 2011, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Computer simulation languages, Computer software, development effort, Distributed computer systems, distributed simulation, Distributed simulation environments, High level architecture, Layered architecture, Simulation language, Software architecture}, issn = {00375497}, doi = {10.1177/0037549711400777}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80052372123\&partnerID=40\&md5=8073e46ed4ea01775fd920be558f394c}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2010, title = {A MDA-based approach for the development of DEVS/SOA simulations}, booktitle = {Spring Simulation Multiconference 2010, SpringSim{\textquoteright}10}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 6}, abstract = {The intrinsic complexity of the DEVS formalism and the manual production of DEVS-based simulations might constitute obstacles to the adoption of DEVS for both system modelers and simulation users. To overcome these obstacles, this paper introduces a model-driven approach for the development of DEVS simulations. The approach provides modelers and users with standard graphical modeling languages and with model transformation specifications for automated code production. Specifically, the approach enables the UML specification of DEVS models and automates the generation of DEVS simulations that make use of the DEVS/SOA implementation. An example application to the production of a DEVS/SOA simulation for a basic queuing system is also presented, to show the details of the proposed approach. {\textcopyright} 2010 SCS.}, keywords = {DEVS, Discrete event simulation, MDA, Model transformation, Model-driven development, Software architecture, Specifications, UML}, isbn = {9781450300698}, doi = {10.1145/1878537.1878685}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78650597613\&partnerID=40\&md5=d354a5334db8120b18b505cf48e0d4cd}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D. and Risco-Mart{\'\i}n, J.L. and Pieroni, A.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio20104, title = {A MDA-based approach for the development of DEVS/SOA simulations}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {42}, number = {1 BOOK 4}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {4-11}, abstract = {The intrinsic complexity of the DEVS formalism and the manual production of DEVS-based simulations might constitute obstacles to the adoption of DEVS for both system modelers and simulation users. To overcome these obstacles, this paper introduces a model-driven approach for the development of DEVS simulations. The approach provides modelers and users with standard graphical modeling languages and with model transformation specifications for automated code production. Specifically, the approach enables the UML specification of DEVS models and automates the generation of DEVS simulations that make use of the DEVS/SOA implementation. An example application to the production of a DEVS/SOA simulation for a basic queuing system is also presented, to show the details of the proposed approach.}, keywords = {DEVS, Discrete event simulation, Mathematical models, MDA, Model driven development, Model transformation, Software architecture, Specifications, UML}, isbn = {9781617382048}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887115977\&partnerID=40\&md5=d939ce7d1f75fadfcbdeca9335ab3f30}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D. and Risco-Mart{\'\i}n, J.L. and Pieroni, A.} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio201081, title = {Model-driven quality engineering of service-based systems}, journal = {Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies}, volume = {2}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {81-103}, abstract = {Web services are the building blocks of systems based on service-oriented architectures. A web service is a self-describing, open component that supports rapid composition of distributed applications. Web service definitions are used to describe the service capabilities in terms of the operations of the service and the input and output messages for each operation. Such definitions are expressed in XML by use of the Web Service Definition Language (WSDL). Unfortunately, a WSDL description only addresses the functional aspects of a web service without containing any useful description of non functional or quality of service (QoS) characteristics. This paper introduces a lightweight WSDL extension for the description of QoS characteristics of a web service. The extension is carried out as a metamodel transformation, according to principles and standards recommended by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The WSDL metamodel is introduced and then transformed into the Q-WSDL (QoS-enabled WSDL) metamodel. As an example application of Q-WSDL, the paper illustrates a model-driven method that exploits Q-WSDL in order to automatically predict and describe the QoS of systems based on composite web services specified by use of the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL). The paper specifically addresses the prediction of the reliability attribute of QoS and is illustrated by use of an example application to a composite web service for travel planning. {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.}, keywords = {BPEL, Business process execution language for web services, Distributed applications, Forecasting, Information services, Meta-model transformations, Model driven architectures, Model-driven, Multimedia services, Quality of service, Service oriented architecture (SOA), Software architecture, Software design, UML, Web service definition languages, Web services, Websites, WSDL}, isbn = {9783642133541}, issn = {21903018}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-13355-8_6}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84879295871\&partnerID=40\&md5=6aebac9835244b3b880b8819ea5e68f2}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio}, editor = {George, Maria} } @conference {Angelaccio2009137, title = {A model-driven approach for designing adaptive WEB GIS interfaces}, booktitle = {Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography}, year = {2009}, note = {cited By 7}, pages = {137-148}, abstract = {Adaptive WEB GIS systems are emerging as a promising technology for managing highly dynamic situations such as in emergencies. Such situations require quick response and combination of static and dynamic data. Context information is crucial for understanding the possible roles within the rescue teams and the possibility for their collaboration. Emergency conditions require adjustments of performance and behavior according to the information and activation of the components and according to the needs of the users. In this paper, we propose a context-aware meta model for a WEB GIS interface. This model is based on the unified modeling language (UML) and the model driven architecture (MDA) paradigm. The proposed framework is described in terms of an emerging web engineering paradigm by specializing a meta model transformation that adapts WEB GIS interfaces to the context information. A study case is taken from a flood emergency scenario. A discussion of the corresponding technological framework, together with a description of a test case, is given in order to show the feasibility of the proposed concept. {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009.}, keywords = {Context information, Emergency conditions, Emergency scenario, Geographic information systems, Information fusion, Meta-model transformations, Model driven approach, Model driven architectures, Semantics, Software architecture, Technological framework, Unified Modeling Language, Web engineering, Websites}, isbn = {9783642003035}, issn = {18632351}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-00304-2-9}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78649514444\&partnerID=40\&md5=cf18f4e4d3529f57ceb725b865e8246c}, author = {Angelaccio, M. and Krek, A. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {Gianni200776, title = {A language to enable distributed simulation of extended queueing networks}, journal = {Journal of Computers (Finland)}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, year = {2007}, note = {cited By 15}, pages = {76-86}, abstract = {Distributed simulators are increasingly being used for their intrinsic advantages in terms of reusability, fault tolerance, performance, and geographic distribution. The development of a distributed simulator, however, requires significant investments in terms of effort if compared to the development of traditional local simulators. This paper introduces jEQN, a Java-based language that significantly reduces the extra effort needed to develop a distributed simulator of extended queueing networks (EQNs), by enabling simulator developers to build distributed simulators as they were to be locally executed. By use of jEQN, simulator developers are enabled to easily switch from a local to a distributed version of an EQN simulator by only modifying few statements of the given local simulator. Moreover, these statements can be easily inferred by a very intuitive graphical procedure. The paper illustrates both the jEQN architecture, based on a layered approach, and the implementation details that contribute to achieve the above mentioned advantages. {\textcopyright} 2007 ACADEMY PUBLISHER.}, keywords = {Computer simulation languages, Distributed simulations, Fault tolerance, Geographic distribution, High level architecture, Java programming language, Queueing networks, Reusability, Simulators, Software architecture}, issn = {1796203X}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-50149099857\&partnerID=40\&md5=5715034653b5f3887aceb678fc9e510d}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} }