Middleware Challenges for Distributed Next Generation Experimental Infrastructures

Next Generation Networks (NGNs) are driven by the convergence of existing fixed, mobile, and cable networks towards interconnected all-IP networks. A key attribute of NGNs is the provision of seamless multimedia information and communication services across access networks of different technologies that are going to coexist and interoperate. This coexistence and interoperation creates a number of open research and standardization issues making the necessity of testing an important key enabler towards the transmission of existing wireless networks to the next generation ones. A de facto requirement for reliable testing is the formation of big infrastructures that provide advance testing facilities incorporating a number of hardware and software components, clusters, and testbeds. The paper attempts to address this challenge by discussing how events- based middleware distributed systems could be adopted for the formulation of large scale interconnected testbeds consisted in physical and virtual infrastructures. These interconnected testbeds could constitute testing environments for advanced networking approaches/algorithms/mechanisms concerning next generation networking platforms coexistence and optimization. The test case of a distributed testbed being under development in the context of the UNITE projects is also discussed to illustrate better how a distributed middleware logic serves the ultimate goal of new advanced experimental infrastructures.