Application-level Programmable Internetwork Environment

Future requirements for a broadband multimedia network are likely to be very different from those today. Three key changes are identified — rapid introduction of new services, dynamic customisation of services by clients, and minimal management overhead. Application-layer active networking, perhaps the most pragmatic and immediately realisable active network proposal, is a potential solution to all three. In the 'Management of Multiservice Networks' project, BT and its academic partners are developing key middleware components required to support application-layer active networking.