Toward Information-Centric Software-Defined Cellular Networks

The concept of software-defined networking (SDN) is able to offer important advantages over the traditional communication paradigms. This is achieved by decoupling the decision-making process from the underlying network infrastructure that forwards the traffic. Recently, there have been efforts in applying the SDN approach to wireless and cellular networks. In fact, SDN is considered as one of the key enablers for future 5G communication networks. Information-centric networking (ICN) is another emerging communication paradigm that has been proposed to improve the content delivery efficiency compared to the traditional host-centric communication protocols. ICN decouples the data from their location, application, and means of transportation. This feature makes ICN particularly suitable for efficient dissemination of large volumes of data, especially in highly dynamic and heterogeneous mobile environments. In this work, we consider an SDN-enabled cellular network and propose an ICN protocol to ensure fast and efficient content dissemination to mobile users. The proposed protocol has been evaluated by means of computer simulations for the use case of a live video streaming service. Our experimental results show significant improvements in terms of response times over the current long-term evolution (LTE) networks

Application-driven network management with ProtoRINA

Traditional network management is tied to the TCP/IP architecture, thus it inherits its many limitations, e.g., static management and one-size-fits-all structure. Additionally there is no unified framework for application management, and service (application) providers have to rely on their own ad-hoc mechanisms to manage their application services. The Recursive InterNetwork Architecture (RINA) is our solution to achieve better network management. RINA provides a unified framework for application-driven network management along with built-in mechanisms (including registration, authentication, enrollment, addressing, etc.), and it allows the dynamic formation of secure communication containers for service providers in support of various requirements. In this paper, we focus on how application-driven network management can be achieved over the GENI testbed using ProtoRINA, a user-space prototype of RINA. We demonstrate how video can be efficiently multicast to many clients on demand by dynamically creating a delivery tree. Under RINA, multicast can be enabled through a secure communication container that is dynamically formed to support video transport either through application proxies or via relay IPC processes. Experimental results over the GENI testbed show that application-driven network management enabled by ProtoRINA can achieve better network and application performance.National Science Foundation (NSF grant CNS-0963974)

Multi-layer virtual transport network management

Nowadays there is an increasing need for a general paradigm which can simplify network management and further enable network innovations. Software Defined Networking (SDN) is an efficient way to make the network programmable and reduce management complexity, however it is plagued with limitations inherited from the legacy Internet (TCP/IP) architecture. In this paper, in response to limitations of current Software Defined Networking (SDN) management solutions, we propose a recursive approach to enterprise network management, where network management is done through managing various Virtual Transport Networks (VTNs) over different scopes (i.e., regions of operation). Different from the traditional virtual network model which mainly focuses on routing/tunneling, our VTN provides communication service with explicit Quality-of-Service (QoS) support for applications via transport flows, and it involves all mechanisms (e.g., addressing, routing, error and flow control, resource allocation) needed to support such transport flows. Based on this approach, we design and implement a management architecture, which recurses the same VTN-based management mechanism for enterprise network management. Our experimental results show that our management architecture achieves better performance.National Science Foundation awards: CNS-0963974 and CNS-1346688

Instant messaging clients - Relaxed, free & enjoyable English learning and training tools

In a demanding world of using English as a second language, computer technology and the internet are being dominantly used as they provide an incredible boost to language learning environment. At present, we can experience a more exciting way of learning a language by taking the advantages of the Instant Messaging Networks widely available online. This latest incarnation of the online chat is one of the communication methods that has proven to be a very good complement to the ways in which we communicate, both privately and professionally. These brilliantly invented instruments such as Skype, Yahoo Messenger and et cetera are a godsend to those who like to seek knowledge and to improve their English. This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of these so called ‘eclectic communicators’ in second language learning; focusing more on their functions as relaxing, and enjoyable language learning tools in a higher educational setting. This qualitative paper begins by highlighting current literature in the area of computer mediated communication (CMC) learning environments in second language use and development. It also discusses some of the issues and challenges related to this matter. In conclusion, this paper provides an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of instant messaging in educational settings especially in second language learning environment

Satellite-enabled interactive education: scenarios and systems architectures

There are specific sectors of the economy that can benefit from satellite-based tele-education. Areas, such as maritime and agriculture, share common needs for both broadband connectivity at remote geographical areas that cannot otherwise be covered, and for innovative content for tele-education purposes. Furthermore, each area has special requirements with regard to the type of content to be delivered. In this paper we propose a set of architectural designs and case scenarios that will realise such interactive end-to-end education systems based on satellite communications. Services requirements in this setting are also identified and discussed

Foucault, exhibitionism and voyeurism on chatroulette

Sexuality, understood as a Foucauldian discourse that expresses itself through our passions and pursuits and contributes massively to our socially- constructed identity formation, has from the outset been a major factor in the growth of the internet. As the ultimate look-but-don‘t-touch medium, the computer screen has offered us a pornographic emporium in the privacy of our homes, fed first by the producers of material in the standard broadcast mode, then more and more by ourselves, to each other, in the social media context of online sexual social networking. The recent shift of sexual video material from broadcast to social media mode highlights the fundamental exhibitionism/voyeurism dyad at the core of all this activity, and finds its most impersonal, anonymous apotheosis in the phenomenon that is ChatRoulette, where visual discourse-objects are deployed in a nexus of online sexual power relations