ITR-M: Technologies for Dynamically Extensible Networks

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Abstract

This project seeks to create advanced hardware and software technologies for supporting dynamically extensible networks. Extensible Network Services Platforms (NSP) support the dynamic insertion of hardware and software plugins that serve as network-resident assists to distributed applications. To enable the greatest impact, extensible networks require sophisticated control mechanisms to enable application developers to specify how application sessions may be configured, while allowing the network the flexibility to map individual sessions onto available resources and to accommodate individual user preferences. This project will develop and demonstrate scalable, high performance NSPs and will create a software Network Extension System (NES) to automatically configure application sessions on demand. In addition to becoming more flexible, networks must become more robust, in order to support advanced mission-critical applications. It is no longer reasonable to assume that network routers operate in a benign environment where users cooperate for the larger social good. The growing challenges to the nation's cyber-infrastructure make it necessary to design systems that can operate reliably and deliver excellent performance, even in the presence of extreme traffic conditions. This project will develop practical designs for managing system resources to ensure robust network operation, even in the most demanding, high performance environments.