The Services Network

Computing and communication are in flux today. On the communication side, historically there have been multiple, parallel networks servicing different types of traffic. Cost pressures are forcing convergence to a single IP-based network. Simultaneously the computing world has been steadily moving from monolithic applications to client/server systems, and from there to arbitrary distributed applications. In making this move, the computing world has typically viewed the network as little more than a high-speed bit-pipe, with the primary focus being on services provided by end hosts. This approach has a number of limitations, including replicated functionality, complex system coupling, and limited ability to integrate applications across different networks. By providing enabling services functionality, an integrated network can make possible both greater efficiencies and more-sophisticated distributed applications.