COGNITIVE PACKET NETWORK

Abstract

The development of computer networks has seen a paradigm shift from static, hierarchical network structures to highly distributed, autonomous systems without any form of centralized control. For networking nodes the ability to self-adapt and self-organize in a changing environment has become a key issue. One of the main challenges faced by computer networks is the efficient management of increasing complexity. Here we discuss the definition and framework for a novel type of adaptive data network: The cognitive network. In a cognitive network, the collection of elements that make up the network observes network conditions and then, using prior knowledge gained from previous interactions with the network, plans, decides and acts on this information. They are capable of perceiving current network conditions and then planning, learning, and acting according to end-to-end goals. Cognitive networks are motivated by the complexity, heterogeneity, and reliability requirements of tomorrow's networks, which are increasingly expected to self-organize to meet user and application objectives.