A proposal for future internet architecture

This paper deals with an autonomous cognitive network management architecture which aims at achieving inter-network (horizontal) and inter-layer (vertical) cross-optimization. The proposed architecture is based on the so-called Cognitive Managers transparently embedded in properly selected network nodes. The core of each Cognitive Manager are the so-called thinking modules, which are in charge of taking consistent and coordinated decisions according to a fully cognitive approach. The thinking modules potentially avail of information coming from both the transport and the service/content layers of all networks and, based on all this inter-layer and inter-network information, take consistent and coordinated decisions impacting the different layers, aiming at the overall inter-layer, inter-network optimization. Copyright © 2010 The authors.