An Active Network Architecture for ATM WANs

This paper explores achieving “application/network adaptation” in wide-area networks supporting mobile users through the use of an active network technology. Network flexibility is achieved through the introduction of SmartPackets which carry address information, user data, and user-specified methods that act on the SmartPacket as it traverses the network. Thus, SmartPackets allow the application to customize the network and adapt the network to the application’s immediate requirements. Applications respond to a dynamic network environment as well as tailor the network to its needs through these techniques. We argue that such an architecture is viable and extremely important in supporting mobile hosts.