Active Network Architecture Research Articles

Effects of microtubule length and crowding on active microtubule network organization

Active filament networks can organize into various dynamic architectures driven by cross-linking motors. Densities and kinetic properties of motors and microtubules have been shown previously to determine active microtubule network self-organization, but the effects of other control parameters are less understood. Using computer simulations, we study here how microtubule lengths and crowding effects determine active network architecture and dynamics. We find that attractive interactions mimicking crowding effects or long microtubules both promote the formation of extensile nematic networks instead of asters. When microtubules are very long and the network is highly connected, a new isotropically motile network state resembling a "gliding mesh" is predicted. Using invitro reconstitutions, we confirm the existence of this gliding mesh experimentally. These results provide a better understanding of how active microtubule network organization can be controlled, with implications for cell biology and active materials in general.

Retrospective on "towards an active network architecture"

Network programmability has metamorphosed over the past twenty years from the controversial research vision of active networks, through PlanetLab, to the juggernaut of SDN and OpenFlow that has swept industry. Now PISA switches are emerging with support for protocol-independent reconfigurability. We reflect on how network architecture has evolved along a different path than we had foreseen to arrive at a place that is not so different than we and other researchers had hoped and imagined.

SDN-Based Active Content Networking

This paper proposes a Software Defined Networking- (SDN-) based active content networking architecture for future media environments. The proposed architecture aims to provide customized delivery of various types of media content in order to satisfy users' demand and service requirements. To this end, we have developed an active content processing model which provides in-network content processing through service objects that are integral parts of active content. The main benefits provided by the proposed model are high flexibility and creativity to meet the evolving future media environments.

MPCP based active optical access network with PLZT high-speed optical switch

An active optical access network architecture with our newly developed PLZT ((Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3) high-speed optical switch is introduced, with a view to realizing the next-generation high capacity scalable access network. This system is developed based on the latest IEEE standard of PON (10G-EPON; IEEE802.3av) in consideration of the coordination with future high capacity PON. PLZT high-speed optical switches are able to switch an optical signal at nano-second speed (<5–10 ns). Generally, the merits of using optical switches are increasing the number of subscribers and transmission distance easily, preventing malicious ONUs from interfacing with the communication between OLT and the other ONUs, realizing fast fiber and OLT protection/restoration and providing various services by controlling optical switches dynamically. This paper focuses on two key technologies; a PLZT optical switch and a new discovery process for active optical access network based on MPCP defined at IEEE802.3. A major challenge in designing active optical access network is supporting the discovery process of MPCP because it does not offer broadcast transmission unlike the regular PON. We propose here a new discovery process; it has been tested successfully in an implementation of our proposed system.

Toward in vivo nanoscale communication networks: utilizing an active network architecture

A safe and reliable in vivo nanoscale communication network will be of great benefit for medical diagnosis and monitoring as well as medical implant communication. This review article provides a brief introduction to nanoscale and molecular networking in general and provides opinions on the role of active networking for in vivo nanoscale information transport. While there are many in vivo communication mechanisms that can be leveraged, for example, forms of cell signaling, gap junctions, calcium and ion signaling, and circulatory borne communication, this review examines two in particular: molecular motor transport and neuronal information communication. Molecular motors transport molecules representing information and neural coding operates by means of the action potential; these mechanisms are reviewed within the theoretical framework of an active network. This review suggests that an active networking paradigm is necessary at the nanoscale along with a new communication constraint, namely, minimizing the communication impact upon the living environment. The goal is to assemble efficient nanoscale and molecular communication channels while minimizing disruption to the host organism.

Towards an active network architecture

Active networks allow their users to inject customized programs into the nodes of the network. An extreme case, in which we are most interested, replaces packets with "capsules" -- program fragments that are executed at each network router/switch they traverse. Active architectures permit a massive increase in the sophistication of the computation that is performed within the network. They will enable new applications, especially those based on application-specific multicast, information fusion, and other services that leverage network-based computation and storage. Furthermore, they will accelerate the pace of innovation by decoupling network services from the underlying hardware and allowing new services to be loaded into the infrastructure on demand. In this paper, we describe our vision of an active network architecture, outline our approach to its design, and survey the technologies that can be brought to bear on its implementation. We propose that the research community mount a joint effort to develop and deploy a wide area ActiveNet.

VIRTUAL ACTIVE NETWORK FOR LIVE STREAMING MEDIA DELIVERY

The large amount of bandwidth and other resources required to deliver streaming media limits the number of concurrent users. We propose a virtual active network (VAN) architecture for streaming media data delivery over wide area networks. In the proposed architecture, cooperating proxies support multiplexing and delivery of live streaming media. The hierarchical delivery structure is dynamically adjusted based on user population distribution, usage patterns, and network conditions. The proposed system architecture provides (1) reliable and high quality live streaming media delivery; (2) lower server resource requirements at the content provider sites; (3) reduced inter-ISP traffic; (4) application level routing for rapid deployment; and (5) cost-effective media data delivery. To deal with one characteristics of live broadcasting events, burst traffic at the beginning of the events, our system features a unique function that dynamically clusters multiple proxy servers to form a server farm to handle a large number of user login events when needed. Experimental results show that the proposed VAN architecture consistently delivers reliable live data streams using resources within 10 percent of the theoretically possible lower bound. The experimental results also show the effectiveness of our load balance algorithms to handle various user patterns, server capacity, and network congestion events.

Active network architecture and management

Access and retrieval of meteorological and oceanographic data from heterogeneous sources in a distributed system presents many issues. There are a number of features of the TEDServices system that illustrate active network management for such data. There is a self-aware or intelligent aspect with respect to the mechanisms for shutdown, data ordering, and propagation of data orders. Intelligent cache management and collaborative application sharing process are other features of the active network management. Additionally a very important capability is the implementation of resumable object streams, which allows either the client or server side of a request to lose network connection, regain it, and the request will continue where it left off. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 22: 1123–1138, 2007.

NANA

This article explores the architectural challenges introduced by emerging bottom-up fabrication of nanoelectronic circuits. The specific nanotechnology we explore proposes patterned DNA nanostructures as a scaffold for the placement and interconnection of carbon nanotube or silicon nanorod FETs to create a limited size circuit (node). Three characteristics of this technology that significantly impact architecture are (1) limited node size, (2) random node interconnection, and (3) high defect rates. We present and evaluate an accumulator-based active network architecture that is compatible with any technology that presents these three challenges. This architecture represents an initial, unoptimized solution for understanding the implications of DNA-guide self-assembly.

Decentralized Bayesian algorithms for active sensor networks

The paper presents two algorithms for Decentralized Bayesian information fusion and information-theoretic decision making. The algorithms are stated in terms of operations on a general probability density function representing a single feature of the environment. Several specific density representations are then considered—Gaussian, discrete, Certainty Grid, and hybrid. Well known algorithms for these representations are shown to fit the general pattern. Stating the algorithms in Bayesian terms has a practical advantage of allowing a generic software implementation. The algorithms are described in the context of the active sensor network architecture—a modular framework for decentralized cooperative information fusion and decision making. An example of decentralized target tracking is provided. The algorithms and the framework implementation is illustrated with the results of two indoor deployment scenarios.

Serviter: A service-oriented programmable network platform for shared infrastructure

Active Networks propose a new approach for dynamic service deployment through the introduction of extensible software components and per-packet processing in the forwarding plane. By doing so, this approach causes serious degradation to performance, scalability, and reliability levels achievable in current networks. Furthermore, current Active Network architectures cannot guarantee isolation among conflicting services or services competing for limited resources. The focus of this paper is on service isolation and a programmable approach whereby service introduction is restricted to the control plane and per-packet processing is performed by reconfigurable dedicated hardware. In particular, we present Serviter, a Service-Oriented Programmable Network Platform for Shared Networks. Serviter employs separated control and forwarding planes. It enables on-demand service deployment in a partitioned and hardware optimised control plane. It facilitates safe node sharing by providing each trusted user (e.g. an ISP) with a secure, separate, and resource assured partition, representing a ‘virtual router’, to accommodate their services. Serviter employs a new QoS-differentiated allocation mechanism, called Control plane-Quality of Service, to allocate the platform internal resources fairly and efficiently among partitions and their services.

Architecture d’un réseau actif à base de services Web

This paper presents a novel active architecture for building and deploying network services:aswa, Web Services based Active network Architecture. At the architectural level,aswa defines an active node whose functionalities are divided into the Node Operating System, the Execution Environment, and the Active Applications. At the implementation level,aswa is a Web Services based platform where new components could be added and deployed, in order to dynamically modify network nodes behavior. Applications can be developed with any language and communicate across heterogeneous environments, and across Internet and Intranet structures. At the deployment levelaswa uses an active node approach, and offers a controlled deployment mode. In terms of security, Authentication of deployed code and protection of the nodes is achieved by the use ofhttps and the header extensions of thesoap envelope. Finally to validate this architecture,aswa defines a Firewall as an Active Application to secure the code deployment.

Application level active network (alan) server management architecture

This paper presents the details of the policy-based security and resource management architecture for Application Level Active Network (alan) servers.alan is an active network architecture which enables deployment of user-customised processes (proxylets), which enhance the existing services or introduce new services to the end-user, on the select group of servers in anip network. The issues of security and resource management in this scenario are of crucial importance so as to efficiently facilitate and control the resource consumption of user-specified processes on the active servers, as well as to protect the server platforms from unauthorised proxylet deployment or malevolent behaviour. The architecture allowing efficient resource and security control is presented in this paper, including detaileduml diagrams capturing the management functionality, as well as a set of concrete management policies for thealan scenario. The examplexml policies are also given, and the deployment of this architecture in real-life trials is described. This development forms a part of a larger management architecture foralan-enabled networks developed in the context of theist projectandroid (Active Network DistRibuted Open Infrastructure Development).

Controlling unresponsive connections in an active network architecture

AbstractThis paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of Limiting Greedy Connections (LGC), an active mechanism for controlling unresponsive connections and minimizing the degradation in network performance caused by bandwidth‐greedy applications. The primary objectives of the LGC mechanism are to limit the impact of greedy connections on a congested node, to keep a loose upper bound on the packet queue occupancy at the intermediate nodes of the network and to minimize packet loss. The LGC mechanism is evaluated for a variety of network topologies, transmitting sources and node queue parameters, using a Java‐based active network testbed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley &amp;Sons, Ltd.

A policy-based management architecture for active and programmable networks

Next generation networks must be capable of supporting a multitude of service providers that exploit an environment in which services are dynamically deployed and quickly adapted over a common heterogeneous physical infrastructure, according to varying and sometimes conflicting customer requirements. In this context, network management must become more flexible in order to cope with these emerging conditions. More specifically, new management architectures must offer service providers the freedom to manage their services according to their own policies and seamlessly extend management functionality as the only way to react to the introduction of new services. Based on a new business model that describes such an environment, we propose a policy-based management architecture that is extensible and operates in an active and programmable network. This management architecture is part of a new network architecture that was developed in the FAIN European Union research and development IST project.

A mobile agent-based active network architecture for intelligent network control

The innovation and evolution of network technologies and services to enhance network functionality have traditionally encountered the problems of backward-compatibility and standardization. To resolve the related issues, active networks have been introduced to enable specific customization of network functionality without the lengthy standard-mediated committee processes. In this paper, we exploit the capability of mobile agent technology to construct an active network architecture. We argue that the mobile agent can be a building block for specific network customizations, and introduction of new network functionality. Both integrated and discrete operational models of network customizations can be supported in our prototype implementation. For the service development and deployment, an abstract service structure and a service loading mechanism are presented. Furthermore, we provide an agent management/control mechanism and devise a service management/control mechanism, which is either not available or incomplete in the other related work. The proposed architecture allows new service introduction, and as a result, achieves improved network functionality.

Security implications of implementing active network infrastructures using agent technology

Active networks (AN) are a rapid evolving area of research and in parallel an area of great industry interest. However, for this technology to make the step out of the labs and penetrate the market, the security problems have to be tackled effectively. This paper demonstrates why and how agent technology research, can and should be applied to active networks, in order to fulfill the new security challenges this infrastructure poses. First, we identify the key elements of AN, analyze the nature of active code, specify the role of agents in active networks and present a multi-execution environment active network architecture. Then, we target the security threats for active code and execution environment, and state the basic as well as the extended security requirements. Subsequently, we try to see how we can apply the security solutions and research done for agents to the context of active networks in order to satisfy their requirements.

Policy-based content delivery: an active network approach

This paper describes an active network architecture that provides the ability to load code dynamically to facilitate user-based content delivery. The improvements to the base architecture are outlined to define a new architecture that provides flexible content delivery based on specific user preferences. We describe an architecture which allows individual users to define behaviour by specifying content delivery or transcoding proxylets through user-defined policies. This architecture is shown to be non-impacting on client and server architectures, and allowing modification to the type of content delivered as well as to the method in which it is delivered.

Activating networks: a progress report

Active networks-networks you can add programs to or customize to particular applications-are probably most familiar as Web proxy caches and firewalls. In their more sophisticated form, however, they have become customized infrastructures that let designers program control planes-the control software and network hardware used to manipulate the transport system's behavior. Programming mechanisms such as open signaling are becoming more widespread, for example. But research in active networks has taken a step beyond even these sophisticated infrastructures. Working systems now let designers modify packet-switching infrastructures on the fly using either a switch-like model, which mixes active packets with other packets, or in a capsule model, which regards all packets as programs. In surveying working systems and experimental results, the authors have found that first-generation systems have opted to use modern programming language technologies such as Caml and Java to provide usability and safety, and cryptographic techniques to provide security. The systems differ in the degree of flexibility and performance they offer. Many differences stem from the use of a particular security model. The paper discusses a general architecture for active networks.

Integrated open service node for active networks and services

The changing business scenario for telecommunication services requires higher levels of openness compared to current technologies. The realization of a programmable and open network intelligence fosters the transition toward an open telecom market. This extended openness is requested to allow flexible component-based service integration; extended control/management capabilities are needed for new electronic business infrastructure, more service personalization and programmability, and integration and management of heterogeneous networks (Internet/B-ISDN/mobile, etc.). We present an integrated architecture for active and programmable networks and services based on the concept of an integrated service node. We study the business point of view, the B-ISDN/ATM point of view, and the Internet point of view. Each of these technologies is supported by an adapted and adaptive service node to introduce advanced service composition, control, and management capabilities. We present a possible implementation infrastructure, and discuss related issues.