Current directions in active programmable network

The active programmable network (APN) has begun a new phenomenon in the logical view towards network in the Internet domain. Traditional technologies based on IP have viewed the network as a black box where the network is hidden from the upper layers. The advantage of this model is the simplicity and the robustness it can offer. However, this model may not be appropriate for the future applications of the Internet where the integration of services are expected. The APN can be considered as an alternative model where components within the network are open for programmability.