Softnet——一个基于移动代理的主动网络

在服务质量单一的互连网上为不同的服务提供一个可选择的平台，已是目前运行开发产所面临的最大的难题，无论是物理隔离的SDH通道、智能光网络和互连网中的虚拟网络，目的都是为不同的用户提供不同的服务平台。该文提出了一种基于移动代理的主动网络－－Softnet.Softnet是叠加在IP网上、中间节点可编程的虚拟网络。Softnet采用包含代码和数据的主动包，以主动节点上动态驻留的移动代理实现网络的动态服务，通过虚电路连接移动代理实现可编程虚拟网。Softnet为不同的服务提供可选择的虚拟平台，达到综合服务（VoIP、数据等服务）的目的。Softnet在提高协议效率，加速协议、服务的开发和部署，高效利用网络资源等方面都有较好的潜力。该文以实例说明了Softnet的动态性和可编程性。

Softnet--An Active Network Based on Mobile Agents

It is a difficult task for network operators and developers to provide appropriate infrastructures for different services on the current Internet. The physically separated SDH channels, the intelligent optical networks, and the virtual networks built on top of the underlying Internet all focus on providing different infrastructures for different applications. In this paper, Softnet, an active network prototype based on mobile agents, is presented. It is a virtual network overlaying the traditional IP network. Its intermediate nodes are user programmable active nodes. Active packets carrying both data and codes are used in Softnet in addition to traditional packets. Mobile agents are resident on active nodes to provide dynamically changing services and QoS. Virtual circuits linking mobile agents to form a virtual network make Softnet programmable. Softnet offers virtual infrastructures with different characteristics for different applications to provide integrated services (e.g. VoIP and data services, etc.). Softnet has a potential in improving protocol performance, in speeding up development and deployment of new protocols and services, and in saving network resources. Examples showing the programmability and dynamic characteristics of Softnet are also given towards the end of the paper.