Algorithms for Next Generation Networks

With the dawn of this new century, we are now on the verge of expanding the notion of what we mean to communicate. A new generation of "netizens" are poised to leverage the Internet for a myriad different applications that we have not envisioned thus far. This will require that the Internet be flexible and adapt to accommodate the requirements of next generation applications.

This important and timely volume presents a comprehensive survey of the algorithms and methodologies presently used in the design and deployment of the Internet. Issues of network design, network operations and management, and emerging applications are discussed by a collection of experts on the algorithmic foundations of the Internet. Covering topics at the intersection of algorithms and networking, the book builds a complete picture of the current state of research on next generation networks and the challenges for the years ahead.

Topics and features

* Contains a Foreword by Charles R. Kalmanek, and contributions from leading researchers in the field

* Outlines the goals for optimization in network design, considering optimizability of protocols and the optimum placement of network functionality, and presenting the idea of Valiant load balancing

* Investigates the influence of physical network characteristics in the design of robust network services, covering algorithms used for optimal capacity provisioning in optical networks, spectrum management in wireless networks, cross-layer algorithms and resource allocation problems in cellular networks

* Explores algorithms for overlay networks which consider the interactions of different overlay networks and take into account the coexistence of underlay services in the basic network infrastructure

* Examines the challenge of processing packets at high speeds, surveying Hash-based techniques for high speed packet processing and fast packet pattern matching algorithms

* Discusses the issue of network management in the face of ever increasing heterogeneity in applications, surveying anomaly detection approaches and network monitoring

* Reviews the algorithmic techniques behind emerging applications, surveying the evolution of Internet search applications, online gaming and social networking

Promoting a thorough understanding of the algorithms used by the Internet today as the critical basis for the development of new algorithms that will form the future Internet, this essential text will be of interest to a broad readership – from graduate students to researchers in data networking.

Dr. Graham Cormode is a Technical Specialist at AT&T Labs Research. Dr. Marina Thottan is a Member of Technical Staff at Bell Labs Research.