Application Framework for Programmable Network Control - Advances in Network-Embedded Management and Applications - page 37

Chapter 3
Application Framework for Programmable Network
Control
1,2 Rudolf Strijkers, 2 Mihai Cristea, 2 Cees de Laat, 1,2 Robert Meijer
1 TNO Information and Communication Technology, Groningen, The
Netherlands,
2 University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
{strijkers, m.l.cristea, delaat}@uva.nl,
robert. [e-mail]
Abstract. We present a framework that enables application developers
to create complex and application specific network services. The
essence of our approach is to utilize programmable network elements to
create a software representation of network elements in the application.
We show that the typical pattern of an application specific network
service is a control loop in which topology, paths, and services are
continuously monitored and adjusted to match application specific
qualities. We present a platform in which network control applications
can be developed and illustrate possible use cases. Based on these use
cases, new research questions are identified.
Key words: Distributed Computing, Network Management,
Programmable Networks.
1 Introduction
Almost every type of network implements measures to guard against
unexpected environmental changes, such as the effects of failing links,
changing traffic patterns or the failure of network nodes themselves. Such
measures can be considered as optimization of network resources with respect
to network robustness. At the basis of the optimization of network resources
are programs that control the response of the network to changes in and
outside of the network. Moreover, actively controlling network resources is
crucial to maintain the network service that is delivered to applications.
Optimizations have a certain penalty in realistic situations. For example, in
sensor networks [1] minimizing the transmission power of sensor antennae
optimizes battery lifetime, but impacts connectivity. Depending on the
application and the actual situation, engineers will choose an optimum.
Generally, the optimum network service is application-specific, yet in most