Revisiting Resource Pooling

Abstract

We question the widely adopted view of in-network caches acting as temporary storage for the most popular content in Information-Centric Networks (ICN). Instead, we propose that in-network storage is used as a place of temporary custody for incoming content in a store and forward manner. Given this functionality of in-network storage, senders push content into the network in an open-loop manner to take advantage of underutilised links. When content hits the bottleneck link it gets re-routed through alternative uncongested paths. If alternative paths do not exist, incoming content is temporarily stored in in-network caches, while the system enters a closed-loop, back-pressure mode of operation to avoid congestive collapse.Our proposal follows in spirit the resource pooling principle, which, however, is restricted to end-to-end resources and paths. We extend this principle to also take advantage of in-network resources, in terms of multiplicity of available sub-paths (as compared to multihomed users only) and in-network cache space. We call the proposed principle InNetwork Resource Pooling Principle (INRPP). Using the INRPP, congestion, or increased contention over a link, is dealt with locally in a hop-by-hop manner, instead of end-toend. INRPP utilises resources throughout the network more efficiently and opens up new directions for research in the multipath routing and congestion control areas.

Reconciling Efficiency and Security of the Internet of Things: A Recursive InterNetwork Architecture (RINA) Approach

“…Performance enhancement techniques, such as Performance Enhancing Proxies (PEPs) and gateways, play a critical role in ensuring the smooth functioning of IoT networks. However, these techniques often encounter an inverse relationship with the implementation of security measures, particularly at the transport layer [10,28].…”