Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S01818/01
Title:	NETKIT: A Reflective Component-Based Infrastructure for Programmable Networks
Principal Investigator:	Coulson, Professor G
Other Investigators:	Hutchison, Professor D Blair, Professor G
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Columbia University
Department:	Computing & Communications
Organisation:	Lancaster University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	04 November 2002	Ends:	03 November 2005	Value (£):	236,267
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Networks & Distributed Systems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
NETKIT will explore an approach to programmable networking that is inspired by the way in which middleware technology has revolutionised the (related) field of distributed applications. We believe this to be a highly promising and exciting approach that can leverage current research on spec programmable networking techniques and make these techniques significantly easier to deploy, integrate, extend and manage. In more detail, we will develop and evaluate a generic, language-independent, component-based toolkit for programmable networking systems. This will build on our exist OpenCOM/ OpenORB component/ middleware technology, and will address all levels of programmable networking in an integrated manner from in band packet handling on routers to high level signaling protocols. It will encompass all current programmable networking paradigms (e.g. open sign active networking, and application-level active networking approaches), and will support, in a uniform manner, the configuration, reconfiguration anc runtime management of programmable network systems at all system levels. Major research issues to be addressed are performance (can we adequately implement low-level functions like packet scheduling in a middleware-derived component model environment?), hardware architecture independence (can we effectively mask the architectural differences between different router architectures?), and, crucially, system dependability (c we provide useful generic support for consistency and integrity management, security and safety, etc?).
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Organisation Website:	http://www.lancs.ac.uk