Architecture and Design for the Future Internet

Reviews / Votes

I have the pleasure to share with you my satisfaction as to the achievements of the EU R&D Project 4WARD. Architecture and Design for the Future Internet details the many unique contributions of the project to the development of a solid scientific basis for the Future Internet. Key amongst its many contributions are those relating to a new architecture framework where mobility, multi-homing and security become an intrinsic part of the network architecture rather than add-on solutions, hence allowing networks to bloom as a family of interoperable networks each complementing each other and each addressing individual requirements such as mobility, QoS, security, resilience, wireless transport and energy-awareness. 4WARD also addressed particularly well the question as to how virtualization can provide an opportunity to roll out new architectures, protocols, and services with network service providers sharing a common physical infrastructure. Tightly coupled to virtualization is network management, where 4WARD has broken new territory by advocating an approach where management functions come as embedded capabilities of devices. 4WARD has gone further than others by recognizing the paradigm shift brought about by the move from a node-centric age to an information-centric age.

The partners and scientific staff of 4WARD are to be congratulated for the work performed and for providing a perfect illustration of how Europe's commitment and creativity will enable the future.

Dr. Joao Schwarz da Silva , Former Director of DG-INFSO, European Commission (Foreword to the book)