Putting Meaning into the Network: Some Semantic Issues for the Design of Autonomic Communications Systems

Traditional network abstractions follow a layered model in which a sub-system interacts with other network components through very narrow interfaces. We content that this model is weak both in providing clear models of end-to-end properties and allowing adaptation to the more abstract properties of systems. We propose instead a graphcentric, contextual abstract model in which sub-systems can relate to other components at a wide range of semantic levels. We explore the implications such a model would have for network technology, applications and users, and identify some of the major research challenges it poses.