User-centric Networks: Building New User Experiences on Software Defined Networks

互联网服务提供商目前正在重新设计他们的网络设备和做法，以反映大型数据中心使用的设备和做法。“软件定义网络”和“网络功能虚拟化”这两大技术变革使传统的互联网路由和互联网服务提供商服务能够在商用数据中心服务器和交换机上执行，并且比以往任何时候都更具可编程性、自动化和响应性。互联网服务提供商也在利用其核心网络转型中开发的工具和经验，将其网络的可编程性扩展到客户设备中。该项目建议建立在网络可编程性增强的基础上，以提供新的用户体验和与网络交互的新方式。问题包括：用户在成为客户之前如何与网络交互？设备如何向网络或应用程序标识自己？谁是用户或设备是什么会如何影响网络的行为？什么样的定制是可能的，运营商如何管理它？研究团队将专注于三个项目，详细阐述这些问题：1)以应用为中心的家庭连接：团队将开发一款应用，既充当用户的代理，又充当网络的用户界面。它将允许用户管理她的服务和设置新设备，诊断和报告问题，修复家庭设备的配置，优化WiFi覆盖，并提供服务连续性。2)温馨的服务：团队将简化从始终在线的网络订购和访问服务。3)半私有网络：团队将创建简单的方法来设置私有网络。让私有网络接入像公共互联网接入一样方便，将为各种规模的公民和企业提供更好的工具来保护他们的隐私和保护物联网设备的安全。

Internet service providers (ISPs) are currently re-architecting their network equipment and practices to mirror those used in large data centres. Two large technology shifts - "Software Defined Networks" and "Network Function Virtualization" - are allowing traditional Internet routing and ISP services to be performed on commodity data-centre servers and switches and to be more programmable, automated, and responsive than ever before. Internet service providers are also drawing on the tools and experience developed in their core network transformation to extend the programmability of their networks into customer equipment.This project proposes building on the increased programmability of networks to provide new user experiences and new ways of interacting with the network. Questions include: How can users interact with a network even before they are customers? How can a device identify itself to the network or to applications? How does who a user or what a device is affect how the network behaves? What kind of customisation is possible and how can an operator manage it?The research team will focus on three projects that elaborate on these questions:1) App-centric home connectivity: The team will build an app to act as both an agent for the user and the user interface of the network. It will allow the user to manage her service and set up new devices, diagnose and report problems, fix configuration of home devices, optimise WiFi coverage, and provide service continuity.2) 'Warm' services: The team will simplify ordering and accessing service from 'always-on' networks.3) Semi-private networks: The team will create simple ways to set up private networks. Making private network access as convenient as public Internet access will give citizens and businesses of all the sizes better tools to protect their privacy and to secure 'Internet of Things' devices.