The design of a secure, extensible, and deployable-programmable network platform

Active networks present a novel approach to network customization and service deployment. However, they introduce serious security, scalability, and performance compromises at the heart of networks that render their use onto commercial platforms impractical. In this paper, we present a programmable architecture that is capable of deployment onto commercial platforms, while providing service accommodation with secure user separation in an extensible control plane and verified access to a realtime forwarding plane. We envision the architecture as an enabling framework that facilitates the transfer of programmable network technology to the real world.