Active Virtual Network Management Protocol

TL;DR

The paper presents AVNMP, a predictive network management protocol that integrates optimistic simulation techniques with active networking to enable future state predictions for improved network management.

Contribution

It introduces AVNMP, combining optimistic discrete event simulation with active networking, and demonstrates its feasibility for proactive network management.

Findings

AVNMP enables future state prediction in active networks.

The system adjusts for prediction inaccuracies using self-adjusting Time Warp.

Feasibility of AVNMP is demonstrated through analysis and experiments.

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel algorithm, the Active Virtual Network Management Protocol (AVNMP), for predictive network management. It explains how the AVNMP facilitates the management of an active network by allowing future predicted state information within an active network to be available to network management algorithms. This is accomplished by coupling ideas from optimistic discrete event simulation with active networking. The optimistic discrete event simulation method used is a form of self-adjusting Time Warp. It is self-adjusting because the system adjusts for predictions which are inaccurate beyond a given tolerance. The concept of a streptichron and autoanaplasis are introduced as mechanisms which take advantage of the enhanced flexibility and intelligence of active packets. Finally, it is demonstrated that the AVNMP is a feasible concept.