Abstract: Primarily targeted toward the network or MIS manager who wants to stay abreast of the latest networking technology, Enterprise Networking: Multilayer Switching and Applications offers up to date information relevant for the design of modern corporate networks and for the evaluation of new networking equipment. The book describes the architectures and standards of switching across the various protocol layers and will also address issues such as multicast quality of service, high-availability and network policies that are requirements of modern switched networks.

Abstract: From the Publisher: Increase bandwidth, improve performance, and lower operating costs of your network with help from this practical resource. You'll learn how to implement the latest optical networking A technologies in both WAN and LAN environments. Covering all the latest advances in this emerging field -- including optical networking with ATM, IP, and Gigabit Ethernet -- this revealing reference clearly explains everything from basic architecture to deployment. Filled with diagrams, practical advice, and the right amount of technical information, this complete guide provides all the tools you need to take advantage of one of the hottest developments in networking today.

Abstract: From the Publisher: An essential guide to understanding networking theory, implementation, and interoperability Excellent preparation for generic or vendor-specific networking certification programsWritten in a user-friendly manner accessible to readers who may need an introduction to networking termsIntroduction to two popular real-world networking models: the Department of Defense (DoD) model and the Open System Interconnection (OSI) modelIncludes latest technologies such as laser, infrared, and satellite/ microwave communicationsCoverage of common server operating systems, including Windows NT(r), Windows(r) 2000, NetWare, UNIX, and LinuxSecurity coverage provides basic cryptography concepts, public and private key encryption, firewalls and proxies, and internal security measures Computer Networking Essentials, written by educator, trainer, and technical author Debra Littlejohn Shinder, starts with an introduction to networking concepts. You will learn computer networking terminology and history, and then dive into the technical concepts involved in sharing data across a computer network. A survey of networking hardware and software will show you how the hardware components, the server and client operating systems, and the networking protocols work together to make that data sharing possible. Several "specialty" areas of networking are explored, including security, remote access, virtual private networking (VPN), and network monitoring and troubleshooting. Written at a level that requires little computer experience, Computer Networking Essentials incorporates elements from a variety of popular introductory networkingcourses into a comprehensive all-in-one guidebook. It is an excellent preparation for the Network+ program, Microsoft's Networking Essentials core course, Novell's Networking Fundamentals, and the Cisco Systems CCNA certification.

Abstract: We propose the home networking system which includes various network technologies. Our home networking system consists of low-power IEEE1394 and Ethernet wall-plate, multi-core POF & UTP Cat.5 combination cable, IEEE1394-Ethernet bridge router and network control application based on Web server technologies. The characteristics of our home networking system are user friendly operation, seamless control, low-power and low-cost.

Abstract: Current active networks research projects are mainly realized in software-based host systems since commercial network devices lack required networking programmability. This paper studies the active networking approach using the Openet programmable networking platform. Openet comprises ORE (Oplet Runtime Environment) and hierarchical services from low-level systems to high-level applications, and provides a neutral service-based programmability to network devices. Moreover, Openet can have customer network services including active networks based services deployed on current commercial network platforms. We demonstrate the active networking with commercial network devices by deploying the active network service ANTS onto the Accelar routing switches. The performance of active network communication is examined by the experiment in an Accelar-routed active net and compared with regular non-active network communication. The experimental result reveals that Java network I/O is a bottleneck of enhancing capsule processing capability and ends up a look at what active network services are applicable to current commercial network platforms. Finally we present observations and future works about active networking through the Openet platform.

Abstract: Motivated by the explosive growth of the Internet, we study efficient and fault-tolerant distributed session layer protocols for networking elements. These protocols are designed to enable a network cluster to share the state information necessary for balancing network traffic and computation load among a group of networking elements. In addition, in the presence of failures, they allow network traffic to fail-over from failed networking elements to healthy ones. To maximize the overall network throughput of the networking cluster, we assume a unicast communication medium for these protocols. The Raincore Distributed Session Service is based on a fault-tolerant token protocol, and provides group membership, reliable multicast and mutual exclusion services in a networking environment. We show that this service provides atomic reliable multicast with consistent ordering. We also show that Raincore token protocol consumes less overhead than a broadcast-based protocol in this environment in terms of CPU task-switching. The Raincore technology was transferred to Rainfinity, a startup company that is focusing on software for Internet reliability and performance. Rainwall, Rainfinity’s first product, was developed using the Raincore Distributed Session Service. We present initial performance results of the Rainwall product that validates our design assumptions and goals.

Abstract: One or more networking apparatuses are employed to practice a networking method that improves a first networking device's likelihood in meeting its service level goals/commitments for a first group of network traffic serviced by the first networking device. Determination is made, away from the networking device, on whether the first network device is meeting the service level goals/commitments for the first group of network traffic. Determination may include monitoring the first group of network traffic at or away from the networking device. If the service level goals/commitments are not being met, a second group of network traffic (also serviced by the first networking device) is regulated. Regulation may be made at the networking device or away from the network device. Additionally, if the condition for regulation is no longer presents, regulation may be moderated or removed. Further, the service level goals/commitments may include reliability and/or performance goals/commitments.

Abstract: A METHODOLOGY FOR CHARACTERIZATION AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF CONNECTION-BASED NETWORK ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract: The explosive growth of the Internet demands higher reliability and performance than what the current networking infrastructure can provide. This dissertation explores novel architectures and protocols that provide a methodology for grouping together multiple networking elements, such as routers, gateways, and switches, to create a more reliable and performant distributed networking system. Clustering of networking elements is a novel concept that requires the invention of distributed computing protocols that facilitate efficient and robust support of networking protocols. We introduce the Raincore protocol architecture that achieves these goals by bridging the fields of computer networks and distributed systems. In designing Raincore, we paid special attention to the unique requirements from the networking environment. First, networking clusters need to scale up the networking throughput in addition to the scaling up of computing power. Second, task switching between the different services supported by a networking element has a major negative impact on performance. Third, fast fail-over time is critical for maintaining network connections in the event of failures. We discuss in depth the design of Raincore Group Communication Manager that addresses the forgoing requirements and provides group membership management and reliable multicast transport. It is based on a novel token-ring protocol. We prove that this protocol is formally correct, namely, it satisfies the set of formal specifications that defines the Group Membership problem. The creation of Raincore has already made a substantial impact both at Caltech and the academic community as well as in the industry. The first application is SNOW, a scalable web server cluster that is part of RAIN, a collaborative project between Caltech and JPL/NASA. The second application is RainWall, a commercial solution created by Rainfinity, a Caltech spin-off company, that provides the first fault-tolerant and scalable firewall cluster. These applications exhibit the fast fail-over response, low overhead, and near-linear scalability of the Raincore protocols. In addition, we studied fault-tolerant networking architectures. In particular, we considered efficient constructions of extra-stage fault-tolerant Multistage Interconnection Networks. Multistage Interconnection Networks provide a way to construct a larger switching network using smaller switching elements. We discovered an optimal family of constructions, in the sense that it requires the least number of extra components to tolerate multiple switching element failures. We prove that this is the only family of constructions that has this optimal fault-tolerance property.

Abstract: We argue that the needs of many classes of modern applications, especially those targeted at mobile or wireless computing, demand the services of content-based publish/subscribe middleware, and that this middleware in turn demands a new kind of communication infrastructure for its proper implementation. We refer to this new communication infrastructure as content-based networking. The service model of this network must directly support the interface of an advanced content-based publish/subscribe middleware service. At the same time, the implementation must be architected as a true distributed network, providing appropriate guarantees of reliability, security, and performance. We do not propose content-based networking as a replacement for IP, nor do we advocate an implementation of a publish/subscribe middleware at the network level (i.e., within routers). Instead, we argue that content-based networking must be designed according to established networking principles and techniques. To this end, in this paper, we formulate the foundational concepts of content-based networking, and relate them to the corresponding concepts in traditional networking. We also briefly review our experience with content-based publish/subscribe middleware and suggest some open research problems in the area of content-based networking.