On incremental deployability

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of incremental deployability in Internet architecture, providing a theoretical and computational foundation that links it to Nash equilibrium and proposing mechanisms for fostering collective Internet development.

Contribution

It introduces a formal mathematical framework for incremental deployability, connecting it to Nash equilibrium, and designs institutional mechanisms to promote emerging Internet architectures.

Findings

Incremental deployability is as general as Nash equilibrium.

Mathematical and computational models of deployability are developed.

Mechanisms are proposed to bootstrap new Internet architectures.

Abstract

Motivated by the difficulty of effecting fundamental change in the architecture of the Internet, in this paper, we study from a theoretical perspective the question of how individuals can join forces toward collective ventures. To that end, we draw on an elementary concept in Internet systems engineering, namely, that of incremental deployability, which we study mathematically and computationally. For example, we show that incremental deployability is at least as general a concept as the Nash equilibrium (in that the latter can be derived from the former). We then draw on this foundation to design and analyze institutional mechanisms that are not only promising to bootstrap emerging Internet architectures but they also have broader applications in social organization beyond its predominant market (and finance)-based character.