New Network Architectures
W.S. Whyte · 2001
A simple layered architecture for information networks is introduced. It is argued that the greatest challenge for the coming generations of networks is integration of old legacy with new and the convergence of LANS, WANS, telecommunication and data networks. These are reviewed historically, contrasting connectionless, packet-based with circuit-switched alternatives, the development of the Internet and the Intelligent Network, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and IP. At the higher layers, mobile agents are discussed and distributed computing architectures such as DCE and CORBA explained.