The implications of pervasive computing on network design

This paper concerns the impact that computing devices will have on how we design networking. We identify the pressure points where pervasive computing will push current approaches to their limits, covering both technical and business implications. We use a broad definition of communications technology, to include not only infrastructure equipment and services, but also communications facilities within computing devices themselves. We outline progress in redesigning the Internet for pervasive computing. We cover components of communications such as transport, routing and security. But we also consider how the industry will be arranged, explaining why new modes of communications (e.g. publish-subscribe) will become prevalent, where functions will be placed and how their deployment will happen. We give the rationale behind the most respected approaches being adopted. We give reasoned, if sometimes controversial, views of what should happen, built on our own research. We dispel some myths and outline the research agenda that still stands between us and realisation of the vision of pervasive computing.