Smart Networks and novel Internet Architectures

Specific Challenge: The Internet architecture is fundamentally a ""host centric"" architecture, with limited ""in network"" service capability and static routing/addressing. Key functionalities like security, trust or mobility had not been planned in the original design. Additional service capabilities on the Internet have been made possible with overlay architectures or patches presenting inherent weaknesses. The ever larger portfolio of business models, processes, applications/devices that have to be supported, coupled with a rapidly growing number of application and societal requirements, calls for a new approach towards the Internet architecture, which will also bring computer architectures and network architectures closer for greater efficiency.

Multiple approaches have been researched: Information Centric Networks, Named Data Networking, Publish Subscribe information Networking, opportunistic and Disruption Tolerant Networking are a few of them, breaking the link between information and the physical network address where it is located. Recursive architectures have also been proposed, to better address security and trust issues and to reengineer the layered architecture.

The next wave of research in the field of Internet Architecture should solve remaining problems and bring the most promising options closer to deployment.

Scope: The focus of the research covers innovative Internet architectures and networking concepts that can meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, taking into consideration the larger social, economic and legal issues that arise from the interplay between the Internet and society. The target research is thus expected to address novel approaches to information access and delivery, built-in security and privacy, generalised mobility, and seamless integration with computing environments as typical drivers. The proposed approach should go beyond fixing today's recognised limitations (e.g. ICN for content networking). It should also be adapted to future applications such as sensor based applications. A key target will be to prove that the proposed architecture does actually scale and makes possible a low cost migration strategy from existing IP networks. Comparative pilot experiments using virtualised platforms are encouraged.

Expected impact:

         Peer-reviewed scientific publications, patents, new PhDs, and new open source software releases. Key scientific publications like ACM Sigcomm will be targeted.

         Contributions to standards: IETF, IRTF may be targeted.

         Creation of a Future Internet architecture network of European researchers and users of sustainable nature, i.e. beyond the availability of public European research funds.

         Links with related International developments, e.g. with the US NSF Future Internet Architecture programme follow up and with similar programmes in Asia, notably Korea and Japan, supporting global views on open standards and interoperability.

         Migration/deployment strategies and roadmaps validated by key industrial players (operators/service providers) and the other stakeholders (regulators, policy makers) taking an active part in the development of the internet.

         Strengthen European industry for closer integration of datacom and telecom.

         Contribution towards at least one large scale validation trial.

Type of action:

Research & Innovation Actions – Proposals requesting a Small contribution are expected