ANMAC: A Novel Architectural Framework for Network Management and Control using Active Networks

In this paper, we propose a new framework called Active Network Management and Control (ANMAC) for the management and control of high speed networks. The software architecture in ANMAC allows routers to execute dynamically loadable kernel plug-in modules which perform diagnostic functions for network management. ANMAC uses mobile probe packets to perform efficient resource reservation (using our novel reservation scheme), facilitate feedback-based congestion control, and to provide distributed debugging of complex anomalous network behavior. ANMAC also provides security measures against IP spoofing, and other security attacks. The network manager has the flexibility to install custom scripts in routers for tracking down anomalous network faults

Axon: Application-Oriented Lightweight Transport Protocol Design

This paper describes the application-oriented lightweight transport protocol for object transfer (ALTP-OT) in the Axon host communication architecture for distributed applications. The Axon Project is investigating an integrated design of host architecture, operating systems, and communication protocols to allow the utilization of the high band-width provided by the next generation of communication networks. ALTP-OT provides the end-to-end transport of segment and message objects for interprocess communication across a very high speed internetwork, supporting demanding applications such as scientific visualization and imaging. ALTP-OT uses rate-based flow control specifically oriented to the transfer of objects directly between application memory spaces. This document is intended to present the design of ALTP-OT, rather than serve as a complete specification and implementation report. It should be treated as a request for comments, and will be periodically updated to reflect comments form the research community and progress on Axon design and prototype implementation. Last revision April 5, 1990

Bayesian Learning-Based Adaptive Control for Safety Critical Systems

Deep learning has enjoyed much recent success, and applying state-of-the-art model learning methods to controls is an exciting prospect. However, there is a strong reluctance to use these methods on safety-critical systems, which have constraints on safety, stability, and real-time performance. We propose a framework which satisfies these constraints while allowing the use of deep neural networks for learning model uncertainties. Central to our method is the use of Bayesian model learning, which provides an avenue for maintaining appropriate degrees of caution in the face of the unknown. In the proposed approach, we develop an adaptive control framework leveraging the theory of stochastic CLFs (Control Lyapunov Functions) and stochastic CBFs (Control Barrier Functions) along with tractable Bayesian model learning via Gaussian Processes or Bayesian neural networks. Under reasonable assumptions, we guarantee stability and safety while adapting to unknown dynamics with probability 1. We demonstrate this architecture for high-speed terrestrial mobility targeting potential applications in safety-critical high-speed Mars rover missions.Comment: Corrected an error in section II, where previously the problem was introduced in a non-stochastic setting and wrongly assumed the solution to an ODE with Gaussian distributed parametric uncertainty was equivalent to an SDE with a learned diffusion term. See Lew, T et al. "On the Problem of Reformulating Systems with Uncertain Dynamics as a Stochastic Differential Equation

An Overview of Segment Streaming for Efficient Pipelined Televisualization

The importance of scientific visualization for both science and engineering endeavors has been well recognized. Televisualization becomes necessary because of the physical distribution of data, computation resources, and users invovled in the visualization process. However, televisualization is not adequately supported by existing communication protocols. We believe that a pielined televisualization model (PTV) is suitable for efficient implementation of most visualization applications. In order to support this model over high speed networks, we are developing a segment streaming interprocess communication (IPC) mechanism within the Axon communication architecture. Important aspects of this development include: the segment streaming paradigm which supports low-overhead communication as well as concurrency between the communication and local computation; a two-level flow control method for distributed pipeline synchronization; and an application-oriented error control method which allows error control to be optimized for different applications. This paper describes a set of ideas that lead to the design of this IPC mechanism

ICONA: Inter Cluster ONOS Network Application

Several Network Operating Systems (NOS) have been proposed in the last few years for Software Defined Networks; however, a few of them are currently offering the resiliency, scalability and high availability required for production environments. Open Networking Operating System (ONOS) is an open source NOS, designed to be reliable and to scale up to thousands of managed devices. It supports multiple concurrent instances (a cluster of controllers) with distributed data stores. A tight requirement of ONOS is that all instances must be close enough to have negligible communication delays, which means they are typically installed within a single datacenter or a LAN network. However in certain wide area network scenarios, this constraint may limit the speed of responsiveness of the controller toward network events like failures or congested links, an important requirement from the point of view of a Service Provider. This paper presents ICONA, a tool developed on top of ONOS and designed in order to extend ONOS capability in network scenarios where there are stringent requirements in term of control plane responsiveness. In particular the paper describes the architecture behind ICONA and provides some initial evaluation obtained on a preliminary version of the tool.Comment: Paper submitted to a conferenc

Deep Space Network information system architecture study

The purpose of this article is to describe an architecture for the Deep Space Network (DSN) information system in the years 2000-2010 and to provide guidelines for its evolution during the 1990s. The study scope is defined to be from the front-end areas at the antennas to the end users (spacecraft teams, principal investigators, archival storage systems, and non-NASA partners). The architectural vision provides guidance for major DSN implementation efforts during the next decade. A strong motivation for the study is an expected dramatic improvement in information-systems technologies, such as the following: computer processing, automation technology (including knowledge-based systems), networking and data transport, software and hardware engineering, and human-interface technology. The proposed Ground Information System has the following major features: unified architecture from the front-end area to the end user; open-systems standards to achieve interoperability; DSN production of level 0 data; delivery of level 0 data from the Deep Space Communications Complex, if desired; dedicated telemetry processors for each receiver; security against unauthorized access and errors; and highly automated monitor and control

Computing infrastructure issues in distributed communications systems : a survey of operating system transport system architectures

The performance of distributed applications (such as file transfer, remote login, tele-conferencing, full-motion video, and scientific visualization) is influenced by several factors that interact in complex ways. In particular, application performance is significantly affected both by communication infrastructure factors and computing infrastructure factors. Several communication infrastructure factors include channel speed, bit-error rate, and congestion at intermediate switching nodes. Computing infrastructure factors include (among other things) both protocol processing activities (such as connection management, flow control, error detection, and retransmission) and general operating system factors (such as memory latency, CPU speed, interrupt and context switching overhead, process architecture, and message buffering). Due to a several orders of magnitude increase in network channel speed and an increase in application diversity, performance bottlenecks are shifting from the network factors to the transport system factors.This paper defines an abstraction called an "Operating System Transport System Architecture" (OSTSA) that is used to classify the major components and services in the computing infrastructure. End-to-end network protocols such as TCP, TP4, VMTP, XTP, and Delta-t typically run on general-purpose computers, where they utilize various operating system resources such as processors, virtual memory, and network controllers. The OSTSA provides services that integrate these resources to support distributed applications running on local and wide area networks.A taxonomy is presented to evaluate OSTSAs in terms of their support for protocol processing activities. We use this taxonomy to compare and contrast five general-purpose commercial and experimental operating systems including System V UNIX, BSD UNIX, the x-kernel, Choices, and Xinu