Flexible Node Design and Implementation for Self Aware Networks

The current integration of several heterogeneous environments into corporate-wide computing systems introduces new level of complexity into the Internet. As the interconnection among diverse systems increases, there will be no way for a timely and decisive response to the rapid stream of changing and conflicting demands. Actually, parameters to be specified within a service request are often difficult to identify, especially in the case of services linked not only to the service itself but also to uncertainties related to the way a user connects to the service, e.g. mobile users. There are therefore strong motivations that lead to the definition of frameworks where network configuration becomes a dynamic and automatic process. In this paper we propose a framework for a distributed management and adaptation of network infrastructures according to the heterogeneous users´ requirements in terms of their variable location, active terminal, and used application. A proof of concept test-bed based on flexible intermediate nodes is presented to demonstrate adaptive network configuration in case of changed access network and user´s application