Directions in Networking Research Panel: Current Trends in Networking Kevin Almeroth University of California—Santa Barbara October 24, 2005
Charting Research Directions Heterogeneity Device Capability Delay Link Capacity
Charting Research Directions Application complexity Multimedia, streaming, live, multiple-multimedia, interactive games, augmented reality
Charting Research Directions Services/Complexity in the network Some we’ve done well, some we’ve not
(Un-)Exciting Areas Exciting Monitoring/Measurement/Management/Provisioning… Dealing with Layer 2 performance characteristics Mobility and Wireless OS and Network (Service) Scalability Emerging Social Applications Security Not So Exciting BGP Monitoring Re-inventing HDLC Ad hoc routing and TCP gateways Non-deployable/standardizable transport protocols P2P for file sharing Security
Tracking What’s Hot Follow the funding RFPs… …after all, research is expensive Look to the top conferences… …and the new workshops
Interest in the Core Fundamental Internet paradigm hasn’t changed At this point, can it change? Layered new functionality on top (or underneath) Again, some have worked, some haven’t… why? Even when we try, sometimes it fails (a la IPv6) Or at least progresses much more slowly than anticipated But, we are also getting smarter Is it time to re-think the fundamental architecture? Short answer: absolutely! But not like ATM or Internet2 Need to be more careful about what will work… …and what will lead to real change
Focus on Impact Academia should pay more attention to impact Collaborate with people who can use the results “people” = industrial partners Work within standards group Pay attention to intellectual property
Open Questions How do we identify the characteristics of a successful “evolutionary” change? What are the characteristics of a successful “revolutionary” change? Others What are the hot areas on the horizon? What are the other trends on the horizon? What other non-CS/ECE disciplines should we watch?