A Framework for Flexible Networking

Abstract Many of today' s applications, especially applications using a computer network, are rigid, both as far as user requirements and computational assets are concerned. The first problem limits ordmary users to the functions offered by the system as is, while the second one leads applications to degrade disgracefully, if the availability of assets changes while the applicaiion is running. In this paper we first analyze both problems and their interconnection, then give a unifying theoretical framework to deal with changes in the user requirements and computational assets. We then propose the Flexible Networking Kernel, which allows users to specify the kind of service they desire using a high level language, and then supplies the best service possible with the currently available computational assets compensating changes in both the user requirements and computational assets.