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ActiveNet

Notes on First Glance

  • Web proxies caching can be troublesome because it is pointless to cache dynamically generated website. THe better way is to cache the code that generates the webpage.
  • We can do computation on the network, this can alleviate the bandwidth burden on the end users.
  • Programmable switches
    • Switches can be programmed to do processing based on headers
    • The headers will trigger different program embedded in the switches
    • Switches can possible make changes to the content
  • The ability to load programs into routers can be useful even if it is not aimed for computations mentioned above.

Context

Capsule

Difference between loading a firmware and their propose of encapsulation

Encapsulation Loading Firmware
  • the sender of the packets are the one implemented/designing the code
  • Codes can be dynamically changed
    		•
  • The owner of the switches/routers
  • Codes are more statically stored on the swtiches/routers
    		•

    Goal

    • Give the ability to change the functionality of switches/routers to the users

    Why do we want to put programs in the packets (networks)?

    • Senders (users) can now make decisions to a certain level of freedom

    • Network can obtain the global overview picture of itself

    Summing total count for bank transaction

    It would be very easy if all traffic goes through a single switch. All we have to do is summing up the packets received in the switch. However, it may be difficult and time consuming to implement data collections on all end hosts then summing up the transaction count in a centralized machine.

    • Firwall
    • Caching

    Implementation

    • Want to to provide enough functionality for people to use, but not too much exposure so malicious people can break the network.

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    Takeway

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