80 Software Networks
problems, which considerably increase as the networks become more
complex. This is the reason for the advent of distributed solutions
using far smaller datacenters, much nearer to the users. However, this
type of architecture requires a greater degree of intelligence to
coordinate the set of controllers.
Slowly but surely, intelligence is being included in networks. This
intelligence covers communication, reasoning and decision-making.
Multi-agent systems provide the mainstay of this intelligence, which is
able to make control- or management decisions when required. We are
only at the very beginning of the story, but intelligence has already
been omnipresent for a number of years at time of writing.
This intelligence can be exercised from huge interconnected
datacenters. In this case, it is centralized for the management and
control of a sub-network. The interconnection of those sub-networks
requires a greater degree of distribution. When the networks are
controlled by datacenters of all sizes, the intelligence will need to be
very widely distributed.
Whilst intelligence serves to control the networks, it also has other
impacts. In particular, security is one of the main beneficiaries of this
intelligence. For example, an intelligent component, such as a neural
network, is capable of analyzing what a person enters on a keyboard
and shutting down communication if that input is not recognized.
Intelligence in networks, therefore, is a vast field for R&D, which
should lead to the implementation of a much greater intelligence in all
domains relating to telecommunications. Another underlying vision is
that of the reduction of the costs in terms of specialized personnel for
surveillance, maintenance and, more generally, all the operations
necessary for the survival of a network. It should become possible to
reduce the number of engineers and technicians in the networking
field by 50-80%, and thereby make substantial savings. However, it
should be noted that new professions will emerge, with architects and
high-level engineers associated with the domain of networks.
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problems, which considerably increase as the networks become more
complex. This is the reason for the advent of distributed solutions
using far smaller datacenters, much nearer to the users. However, this
type of architecture requires a greater degree of intelligence to
coordinate the set of controllers.
Slowly but surely, intelligence is being included in networks. This
intelligence covers communication, reasoning and decision-making.
Multi-agent systems provide the mainstay of this intelligence, which is
able to make control- or management decisions when required. We are
only at the very beginning of the story, but intelligence has already
been omnipresent for a number of years at time of writing.
This intelligence can be exercised from huge interconnected
datacenters. In this case, it is centralized for the management and
control of a sub-network. The interconnection of those sub-networks
requires a greater degree of distribution. When the networks are
controlled by datacenters of all sizes, the intelligence will need to be
very widely distributed.
Whilst intelligence serves to control the networks, it also has other
impacts. In particular, security is one of the main beneficiaries of this
intelligence. For example, an intelligent component, such as a neural
network, is capable of analyzing what a person enters on a keyboard
and shutting down communication if that input is not recognized.
Intelligence in networks, therefore, is a vast field for R&D, which
should lead to the implementation of a much greater intelligence in all
domains relating to telecommunications. Another underlying vision is
that of the reduction of the costs in terms of specialized personnel for
surveillance, maintenance and, more generally, all the operations
necessary for the survival of a network. It should become possible to
reduce the number of engineers and technicians in the networking
field by 50-80%, and thereby make substantial savings. However, it
should be noted that new professions will emerge, with architects and
high-level engineers associated with the domain of networks.
www.it-ebooks.info