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IFIP International Working Conference on Active Networks

IWAN 2000: Active Networks pp 16–32Cite as

Active Networking Means Evolution (or Enhanced Extensibility Required)

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 1942))

Abstract

A primary goal of active networking is to increase the pace of network evolution. Evolution is typically achieved via extensibility; that is, typical active network implementations provide an interface to extend network nodes withdyna mically loaded code. Most implementations employ plug-in extensibility, a technique for loading code characterized by a concrete, pre-defined abstraction of future change. While flexible and convenient, we argue that plug-in extensibility alone is not sufficient for true network evolution. Instead, we propose dynamic software updating, a technique that reduces the a priori assumptions of plug-in extensibility, improving flexibility and eliminating the need to pre-plan extensions. However, this additional flexibility creates issues involving validity and security. We discuss these issues, and describe the state-of-the-art in systems that support dynamic software updating, thus framing the problem for researchers developing next-generation active networks.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer and Information Science Department, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania

    Michael Hicks

  2. Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Texas at Austin, Texas

    Scott Nettles

Authors
  1. Michael Hicks
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  2. Scott Nettles
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Collaborative Research, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, 153-8904, Tokyo, Japan

    Hiroshi Yasuda

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© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Hicks, M., Nettles, S. (2000). Active Networking Means Evolution (or Enhanced Extensibility Required). In: Yasuda, H. (eds) Active Networks. IWAN 2000. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1942. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-40057-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-40057-5_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-41179-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-40057-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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