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)提供资金的。当前互联网流量的很大一部分是由于分发内容，然而互联网被设计为在很大程度上与流经其上的内容的特征无关。这项研究调查了内容感知型互联网生态系统的设计和运营，该生态系统依靠用户(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)和网络提供商(生成内容，并寻求成本和资源高效的传播)之间的互动而蓬勃发展。这项研究采取双管齐下的方法。一方面，它探索了对内容感知互联网生态系统的基本性能限制的新颖分析，该生态系统严格描述了智能设计的跨层架构的优势。另一方面，它包括开发机制和实际实施内容分发系统，通过该系统，有关各方可以建设性地互动，以实现这些收益，同时尊重彼此的利益。该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。以负担得起的价格随时获取数字内容有助于为整个社会提供信息、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，可以减少有关各方之间不断积累的摩擦，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，让代表人数不足的群体中的当地大学参与，课程开发和与行业的互动。

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.