SerfNet - Secure-efficient-resilient-and-fair-networks
As the Internet is coming to age and its proper functioning is an issue of public discussions we think it is time to go a step ahead. In the SerfNet project, we foster the development of new technologies beyond the current Internet. We propose a secure, efficient, and resilient communication infrastructure for fixed and wireless networks.
Within this internal project, which is financed by the University of Tübingen, we take the freedom to discuss some new revolutionary ideas beyond the current practical constrains of commonly known networks.
The term SerfNet stands for secure (1), efficient (2), resilient (3), and fair (4) networks. More precisely, SerfNet shall follow the following four tendits:
- SerfNet shall be secure and protected from unfair users. Thus, the maintenance for proper operation of the network is ensured by establishment and maintenance of protective measures. Measures shall be taken to protect SerfNet against all such acts, which may impair its effectiveness.
- SerfNet shall be highly efficient while communicating effectively within the given resources.
However, SerfNet shall enhance the communication sessions for some individuals without making any other communication sessions worse off. Thus, SerfNet shall be Pareto or Kaldo-Hicks efficient.
In case of a SerfNet that includes users who are connected over wireless links, the accesses would be managed intelligently, i.e. a user who transfers large files should rather be served by WLAN than by UMTS. - SerfNet shall be resilient. It must be able to recover from attacks, disturbance, and failures. We give emphasize to the fact that to be resilient safety measures must be proactive as well as reactive. SerfNet shall cope with stressful situations (such as attacks or overload, specially in wireless scenarios), or catastrophic failure of components within the network. Ideally, SerfNet would react autonomically to such events. In such situation SerfNet should provide minimum services.
- Last SerfNet shall – of course – provide basic communication services connecting computers, humans, sensors via communication sessions.