Context aware network
Encyclopedia
A context aware network is a form of computer network that is a synthesis of the properties of dumb network
and intelligent computer network
architectures. Dumb network
s feature the use of intelligent peripheral devices and a core network which does not control or monitor application creation or operation. Such a network is said to follow the end to end principle in that those applications are set up between end peripheral devices with no control being exercised by the network. Such a network assumes that all users and all applications are of equal priority. Any conflict or undesired interaction must be handled by the independent applications. As such the network is most suited to uses in which customization to individual user needs and the addition of new applications are most important. The pure Internet
ideal is an example of a dumb network
.
An intelligent network
, in contrast to a dumb network
is most suited for applications in which reliability and stability are of great importance. The network will supply, monitor and control application creation and operation. A telephone network is an example of an intelligent network -- service failure on the telephone network would be disruptive to business and hazardous to public safety.
A context aware network is a network that tries to overcome the limitations of the dumb and intelligent network models and to create a synthesis which combines the best of both network models. It is designed to allow for customization and application creation while at the same time ensuring that application operation is compatible not just with the preferences of the individual user but with the expressed preferences of the enterprise or other collectivity which owns the network. The Semantic Web
is an example of a context aware network. Grid network
s, pervasive networks, autonomic networks, application aware networks, service oriented networks all contain elements of the context aware model.
In a context aware network new applications may be composed from existing network applications. Techniques for modeling applications allow for the identification of applications that satisfy specific functional requirements
as well as necessary nonfunctional requirements. This method also allows applications to described in terms of their overall purposes. So for example an application may describe a business process (see BPEL). The process can be linked to its larger objectives in the organization including its priority and consequences of failure. The context aware network can use these descriptions in its function to handle conflict between incompatible applications in the accessing of resources or in the violation of higher level constraints. The context aware network monitors application operation to ensure that they are compatible with higher level requirements and constraints and that conflicts are resolved in their light as well.
A context aware network is suited to applications in which both reliability and the need for system evolution and customization are required. It is finding great purchase in the development of enterprise system for business processes, customer relations management etc. Service oriented architectures, which are a specialization of the context aware model, are the current rage in enterprise computing.
The underlying principles of a context-aware system that can handle the authoring, creation, management and operation of on-the-fly context-aware services are presented in the following book:
Dumb network
A dumb network is marked by using intelligent devices at the periphery that make use of a network that does not interfere with an application’s operation. The dumb network concept is the natural outcome of the end to end principle...
and intelligent computer network
Intelligent computer network
An intelligent computer network is a computer network in which the network is in control of application creation and operation. Relatively dumb terminal and devices on the network periphery access centralized network services on behalf of their users...
architectures. Dumb network
Dumb network
A dumb network is marked by using intelligent devices at the periphery that make use of a network that does not interfere with an application’s operation. The dumb network concept is the natural outcome of the end to end principle...
s feature the use of intelligent peripheral devices and a core network which does not control or monitor application creation or operation. Such a network is said to follow the end to end principle in that those applications are set up between end peripheral devices with no control being exercised by the network. Such a network assumes that all users and all applications are of equal priority. Any conflict or undesired interaction must be handled by the independent applications. As such the network is most suited to uses in which customization to individual user needs and the addition of new applications are most important. The pure Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
ideal is an example of a dumb network
Dumb network
A dumb network is marked by using intelligent devices at the periphery that make use of a network that does not interfere with an application’s operation. The dumb network concept is the natural outcome of the end to end principle...
.
An intelligent network
Intelligent network
The Intelligent Network , is the standard network architecture specified in the . It is intended for fixed as well as mobile telecom networks...
, in contrast to a dumb network
Dumb network
A dumb network is marked by using intelligent devices at the periphery that make use of a network that does not interfere with an application’s operation. The dumb network concept is the natural outcome of the end to end principle...
is most suited for applications in which reliability and stability are of great importance. The network will supply, monitor and control application creation and operation. A telephone network is an example of an intelligent network -- service failure on the telephone network would be disruptive to business and hazardous to public safety.
A context aware network is a network that tries to overcome the limitations of the dumb and intelligent network models and to create a synthesis which combines the best of both network models. It is designed to allow for customization and application creation while at the same time ensuring that application operation is compatible not just with the preferences of the individual user but with the expressed preferences of the enterprise or other collectivity which owns the network. The Semantic Web
Semantic Web
The Semantic Web is a collaborative movement led by the World Wide Web Consortium that promotes common formats for data on the World Wide Web. By encouraging the inclusion of semantic content in web pages, the Semantic Web aims at converting the current web of unstructured documents into a "web of...
is an example of a context aware network. Grid network
Grid network
A grid network is a kind of computer network consisting of a number of systems connected in a grid topology.In a regular grid topology, each node in the network is connected with two neighbors along one or more dimensions. If the network is one-dimensional, and the chain of nodes is connected to...
s, pervasive networks, autonomic networks, application aware networks, service oriented networks all contain elements of the context aware model.
In a context aware network new applications may be composed from existing network applications. Techniques for modeling applications allow for the identification of applications that satisfy specific functional requirements
Functional requirements
In software engineering, a functional requirement defines a function of a software system or its component. A function is described as a set of inputs, the behavior, and outputs ....
as well as necessary nonfunctional requirements. This method also allows applications to described in terms of their overall purposes. So for example an application may describe a business process (see BPEL). The process can be linked to its larger objectives in the organization including its priority and consequences of failure. The context aware network can use these descriptions in its function to handle conflict between incompatible applications in the accessing of resources or in the violation of higher level constraints. The context aware network monitors application operation to ensure that they are compatible with higher level requirements and constraints and that conflicts are resolved in their light as well.
A context aware network is suited to applications in which both reliability and the need for system evolution and customization are required. It is finding great purchase in the development of enterprise system for business processes, customer relations management etc. Service oriented architectures, which are a specialization of the context aware model, are the current rage in enterprise computing.
The underlying principles of a context-aware system that can handle the authoring, creation, management and operation of on-the-fly context-aware services are presented in the following book:
- ”Fast and Efficient Context-Aware Services” by Raz, D., Juhola, A., Serrat, J., Galis, A. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., London, UK, April 2006, 250 pp, – ISBN 0-470-01668-X