Active virtual private network services on demand

Abstract

This paper focuses on the role of the convergence of network and service management technologies in providing a support for the increased intelligence required in the provision of management solutions, and the mobility of such solutions. Such convergence benefits the interoperable services characterised by high distribution, a dynamic nature, and the complexity of used network resources. It is based on the research results achieved in the ACTS AC338 project MIAMI (Mobile Intelligent Agents for Managing the Information Infrastructure) [1], [14] and [9]. The MIAMI project focused on the use of mobility of software intelligence agents and the benefits of mobility in the context of active service management. MIAMI developed a unified Mobile Intelligent Agent framework able to meet the requirements of an emerging global open information infrastructure. Further, MIAMI created a new service management application: the Active Virtual Pipe (AVP): a dynamic Virtual Private Network Service on demand, to demonstrate the benefit of Mobile Intelligent Agent technology for network and service management. This paper discusses the advent of mobile agent technologies and how they may enhance traditional connectivity management services in a form of Active Virtual Private Networks services, making them dynamically customisable by consumers.