Ambient networks: a framework for mobile network cooperation

Abstract

Ambient Networks represents a new networking approach that aims at enabling the cooperation of heterogeneous networks and networking resources, on demand and transparently. This should happen without the need for pre-configuration or offline negotiation between network operators. Ambient Networks clearly separates the control space from the transport protocol, and introduces a common control space called the Ambient Control Space that comprised all control functionality within an Ambient Networks. The Ambient Control Space is also responsible for the composition of different networks, with the control spaces of composing networks forming one Ambient Control Space. This paper discusses the justification of Ambient Networks, the main novelties being introduced by Ambient Networks, and the requirements imposed on the Ambient Control Space. It also goes into a bit more details about the Ambient Networks architecture and draws initial conclusions.