March 10, 2005
10:00 LH101

Software Systems to Manage Large Networks: a Challenge and Opportunity

Dr. Douglas Comer

Abstract:
How can we build a software system to monitor, configure, and control large-scale computer networks and internets? What are the fundamental abstractions? What API should such a system offer to external application programs?

Cisco Systems has launched a major effort to work with business partners and customers to answer the questions. The effort will define an architecture, design a set of APIs, and create both support software and example applications that illustrate how the facilites can be used. Significantly, instead of creating a proprietary solution, Cisco intends to make the results open and encourage industry-wide acceptance.

As part of the effort, Cisco envisions a collaboration with selected universities to stimulate research and education related to scalable, flexible network management systems. Cisco intends to establish a lab and give participating universities access to hardware and software to facilitate exploration of Cisco's architecture and inspire alternative, innovative solutions and enhancements.

This talk describes the basic problem, briefly reviews current network management software, and outlines Cisco's approach for a next-generation architecture. It then describes the lab facilities and the planned collaboration with universities.

Biography:
Douglas Comer is currently on leave from Purdue University, where he is a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science. An internationally recognized expert on computer networking, his research spans both hardware and software. Comer is well-known in the networking community for his ground-breaking textbooks on TCP/IP, computer networks, operating systems, and computer architecture. His books have been translated into 16 languages, and are used by both professional engineers and students. Comer is editor-in-chief of the journal, Software -- Practice and Experience, and a Fellow of the ACM.