Collaborative Research: ITR : Network Coding - From Theory to Practice

网络编码——从理论到实践网络资源的有效利用是当今社会提供信息的中心目标。尽管在理解网络能够、运行和应该运行的模式方面付出了巨大的努力，但一个统一而简洁的网络理论仍然难以捉摸。在此背景下，本研究旨在发展和利用一些传统上独立的、与网络相关的问题的综合观点。在此背景下，研究小组将研究各种问题，从关于在一系列特定网络场景中使用网络编码的网络结构的基本问题，网络鲁棒性，网络信息理论方面到涉及网络实际方面的问题。这个雄心勃勃的项目是由“网络编码”的概念驱动的，这是最近的一项发现，是该提案的核心。网络编码不仅是一种新鲜而锐利的工具，有可能打开停滞不前的基础研究领域，而且由于其交叉的性质，它自然地建议对以前分割的领域进行统一处理。特别是，该研究解决了网络编码在网络管理、网络信息理论、网络压缩和信道编码以及分布式调度和路由算法等背景下的相互作用。对跨不同任务的网络内在基本性能限制的理解，不仅有可能在网络理论中建立基石，而且有可能在以前未连接的区域之间建立新的强大的桥梁。

ABSTRACT0325763Ralf KoetterU of Illinois @ Urbana-ChampaignNetwork Coding --- From Theory to PracticeThe efficient use of network resources is a central objective in making information available in today's society. Despite an enormous effort in understanding the modes in which networks can, do, andshould operate, a unified and concise theory of networking has remained elusive. Before this backdrop, this research aims at developing and leveraging a combined view of a number of traditionally separate, network-related issues. In this context, the research team will investigate issues varying from fundamental questions about the structure of networks employing network coding over an array of specific network scenarios, network robustness, network information theoretic aspects to questions involving practical aspects of networks.This ambitious project is driven by the notion of "Network Coding", a recent discovery that is central to this proposal. Not only is network coding a fresh and sharp tool that has the potential to open up stagnant fundamental areas of research, but due to its cross-cutting nature it naturally suggests a unified treatment of previously segmented areas. In particular, the research addresses the interplay of network coding in the context of network management, network information theory, compression and channel codes in networks anddistributed scheduling and routing algorithms. The understanding of intrinsic fundamental performance limits of networks across different tasks, holds the potential to not only create a cornerstone in thetheory of networks but also to build new and robust bridges between previously unconnected areas.