Evolution of an active networks testbed

This paper explores the requirements for a network testbed designed specifically to support research in active networking. It also describes the design of the wide-area active networks testbed named the ABone. The ABone provides a virtual and real network infrastructure for active network experiments, using a diverse set of OS platforms. Its design embodies a tradeoff among the testbed goals of scalability, availability, security, heterogeneity, and modularity.