Active networking

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Active networking is a communication pattern that allows packets flowing through a
telecommunications network to dynamically modify the operation of the network.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 How it works
• 2 What does it offer?
• 3 Fundamental Challenges
• 4 Nanoscale Active Networks
• 5 See also
• 6 Sources
• 7 Notes
• 8 External links

[edit] How it works

Active network architecture is composed of execution environments (similar to a unix shell that
can execute active packets), a node operating system capable of supporting one or more
execution environments. It also consists of active hardware, capable of routing or switching as
well as executing code within active packets. This differs from the traditional network
architecture which seeks robustness and stability by attempting to remove complexity and the
ability to change its fundamental operation from underlying network components. Network
processors are one means of implementing active networking concepts. Active networks have
also been implemented as overlay networks.
[edit] What does it offer?
Active networking allows the possibility of highly tailored and rapid "real-time" changes to the
underlying network operation. This enables such ideas as sending code along with packets of
information allowing the data to change its form (code) to match the channel characteristics. The
smallest program that can generate a sequence of data can be found in the definition of
Kolmogorov Complexity. The use of real-time genetic algorithms within the network to compose
network services is also enabled by active networking.
[edit] Fundamental Challenges
Active network research addresses the nature of how best to incorporate extremely dynamic
capability within networks[1].
In order to do this, active network research must address the problem of optimally allocating
computation versus communication within communication networks[2]. A similar problem related
to the compression of code as a measure of complexity is addressed via algorithmic information
theory.
[edit] Nanoscale Active Networks
As the limit in reduction of transistor size is reached with current technology, active networking
concepts are being explored as a more efficient means accomplishing computation and
communication[3][4]. More on this can be found in nanoscale networking.
[edit] See also
• Nanoscale networking
• Programmable networking
• Network processing
[edit] Sources
• Towards an Active Network Architecture (1996), David L. Tennenhouse, et al., Computer
Communication Review
• Active Networks and Active Network Management: A Proactive Management Framework
by Stephen F. Bush and Amit Kulkarni, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New
York, Boston, Dordrecht, London, Moscow, 2001, 196 pp. Hardbound, ISBN 0-306-
46560-4.
• Programmable Networks for IP Service Deployment" by Galis, A., Denazis, S., Brou, C.,
Klein, C.- Artech House Books, London, June 20;, 450 pp., ISBN 1-58053-745-6
[edit] Notes
1. ^ Bush, S. F., A Simple Metric for Ad Hoc Network Adaptation IEEE Journal on
Selected Areas in Communications Journal, 2005, 23, 2272-2287 [1]
2. ^ Active Virtual Network Management Prediction: Complexity as a Framework for
Prediction, Optimization, and Assurance, Bush, S. F., IEEE Computer Society Press,
Proceedings of the 2002 DARPA Active Networks Conference and Exposition (DANCE
2002), 2002, 534-553 [2]
3. ^ ``NANA: A Nanoscale Active Network Architecture by Patwardhan, J. P.; Dwyer, C.
L.; Lebeck, A. R. & Sorin, D. J., ACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing
Systems (JETC), ACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing Systems) Vol. 2,
No. 1, Pages 1-30, January 2006, 3, 1-31.
4. ^ Nanoscale Communication Networks, Bush, S. F., ISBN 978-1-60807-003-9, Artech
House, 2010 http://www.amazon.com/Nanoscale-Communication-Networks-Stephen-
Bush/dp/1608070034
[edit] External links
• Active Networking at GE
• Introduction to Active Networks (video)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_networking"
Categories: Network architecture | Telecommunications | Computer networks
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