Active networking

The smallest program that can generate a sequence of data can be found in the definition of Kolmogorov complexity.

The name derives from a comparison with network approaches advocating minimization of in-network processing, based on design advice such as the "end-to-end argument".

The concept of a programmable control plane originated at the University of Cambridge in the Systems Research Group, where (using virtual circuit identifiers available in Asynchronous Transfer Mode switches) multiple virtual control planes were made available on a single physical switch.

[2] A similar problem related to the compression of code as a measure of complexity is addressed via algorithmic information theory.

[3] As the limit in reduction of transistor size is reached with current technology, active networking concepts are being explored as a more efficient means accomplishing computation and communication.