Next Generation Computer Networking

NEXT GENERATION COMPUTER NETWORKING

Web Page: http://sierra.ece.ucdavis.edu

Participating UC Davis Faculty: S. J. Ben Yoo (ECE -- [email protected]) Venkatesh Akella (ECE -- [email protected] ) Chen-Nee Chuah (ECE -- [email protected] )

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of California, Davis One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616

(1) From Micro to Macro networking

The phenomenal growth in the Internet traffic has spurred development and deployment of new networking technologies. Computer communications now involve embedded sensors, handhelds, laptops, desktops, workstations, servers, and even super computers. Next generation computer networks are expected to involve various hierarchical layers of networking technologies. For instance, mobile sensor networks involve ad-hoc wireless networking technologies with hierarchical architectures to allow low-power and scalable communications. Storage networks and supercomputer networks require very high-speed connectivity exploiting advanced optical networking technologies. In some applications, scalable peer-to-peer networking is essential. In many other real-time interactive applications, high-speed end-to-end performance with low latency and low-jitter can be a key. This project investigates next-generation computer networking technologies in the context of evolving new computer applications.

(2) High-Speed Optical-Label Switching technologies

We will investigate wide area and metropolitan area computer networking technologies based on optical-label switching technologies. The optical-label is a short (~40 bit) field that contains information pertaining to forwarding such as source-destination, quality-of- service, and time-to-live. The optical-label switching technology interoperates with state- of-the-art MPLS (Multi-Protocol-Label Switching) and MPLambdaS technologies while exhibiting far superior transparency and capacity. UC Davis has developed and demonstrated an Optical-Label Switching router with ~600 psec switching speed, ~250 nsec latency, > 42 petabit/sec switching capacity, and up to 65536 x 65536 port scalability. The optical-label switching technology is ideal for metro and wide-area applications (involving storage rings and/or high-end computers) where low-latency and high-capacity are essential aspects. In particular, optical-label switching accommodates circuit, burst, and packet switching with full interoperability directly in the optical-layer. As a result, large bursts of data transfers between the data storage or high-end computers can be effectively handled by the all-optical label switching routers. The UC Davis team has already demonstrated IP-client to IP-client all-optical communications and multiple gigabit-per-second line rates. Under the proposed work, we will investigate the architecture, protocol , and the performance benefit of the all-optical label switching technology.

(3) Embedded Sensor Networks

We will conduct fault-tolerant, self-organizing, and secure sensor network architecture studies involving local sensor networks, optical wireless metro networks, and optical fiber wide-area networks. This part of study will address seamless networking architecture allowing self-reconfiguration and ad hoc technology across the heterogeneous media (electrical wireless, electrical wire, optical wireless, optical fiber). In particular, self-reorganization process will be aware of fault-tolerance and self-healing requirements allowing autonomous computation of protection/restoration paths.

(4) Next Generation Computer Networking Testbed

UC Davis is in the process of setting up a computer networking testbed which investigates and demonstrates next generation computer networking involving embedded sensors and high-end computers. This testbed will include the following key components. (a) Next Generation Computer Networking Architecture and Protocol We will investigate the architecture and protocol involving the next generation computer networks. In particular, we will study hierarchical sensor networks interoperating with optical-label switched wide area networks. (b) Prototyping, Systems Integration and Network Testbed Demonstration We will prototype next generation sensor and wide area network systems using desktops, field-programmable-gate-arrays, and optical-label switching routers. We will incorporate new architecture and protocols in the tesbed involving wireless mobile sensors and optical label switching routers. (c) Next Generation Computer Network Control and Management We will investigate and develop next generation network control and management involving sensor networks and optical core networks. (d) Next Generation Applications We will involve the testbed in real applications such as storage ring communications, 3-D interactive visualization based education, and medical applications.

Desired Support: Funding for grad student participants and the testbed, several Sun work stations for the network testbed, and SunOS support.