NeTS: Medium: Collaborative Research: Designing a Content-Aware Internet Ecosystem

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。 当前互联网流量的绝大部分是由于分发内容，然而互联网被设计为在很大程度上不可知的内容流的特性。本研究探讨了内容感知的互联网生态系统的设计和操作，该生态系统在用户之间的交互中蓬勃发展（寻求寻求快速和正确的下载），内容提供商（寻求最大限度地减少网络拥塞和中转流量），以及网络提供商（谁产生的内容，并寻求成本和资源有效的传播）。这项研究采取了双管齐下的方法。 一方面，它探讨了内容感知互联网生态系统的基本性能限制的新分析，该生态系统严格描述了智能设计的跨层架构的好处。 另一方面，它包括建立机制和实际执行内容分发系统，使有关各方能够建设性地互动，以实现这些收益，同时尊重彼此的利益。 这种方法结合了一系列技术，包括建模和理论分析，测量和数据分析，系统设计，仿真和系统实现。以负担得起的方式随时访问数字内容有助于整个社会的信息、教育和娱乐。此外，通过开发具有成本效益和资源效益的交付技术，可以减少相关各方之间持续存在的摩擦，并可以更好地了解网络中立性辩论的技术方面。为了加强这一影响，该项目包括一个教育部分，涉及代表性不足群体的当地大学、课程编制和与工业界的互动。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). A significant majority of current Internet traffic is due to distributing content, yet the Internet was designed to be largely agnostic to characteristics of the content flowing over it. This research investigates the design and operation of a content-aware Internet ecosystem, which thrives on the interaction between users (seeking seek fast and correct downloads), content providers (seeking to minimize network congestion and transit traffic), and network providers (who generate content, and seek the cost- and resource-efficient dissemination).This research takes a two-pronged approach. On one hand, it explores novel analysis of fundamental performance limits for a content-aware Internet ecosystem that rigorously characterizes the benefits of an intelligently designed cross-layer architecture. On the other hand, it includes developing mechanisms and practical implementation of a content distribution system, by which involved parties can interact constructively to achieve these gains yet respect each others' interests. This approach combines a range of techniques, including modeling and theoretical analysis, measurement and data analysis, system design, simulation, and system implementation. Affordable and ready access to digital content helps inform, educate, and entertain society as a whole. Additionally, by developing cost- and resource-effective delivery techniques, the friction continuing to build between involved parties can be reduced and the technical side of the network neutrality debate can be better informed. To enhance this impact, the project includes an educational component involving local universities from under-represented groups, curriculum development and interactions with industry.