BIONETS architecture: from networks to SerWorks

This paper presents the networking framework as conceived within the European project BIONETS. The case for such a framework comes from the idea of a ldquoDisappearing Networkrdquo paradigm. In the disappearing network, the network ceases to exist as an independent entity and becomes an appendix of the distributed services running on user devices. The overall BIONETS system exploits the presence of embedded devices to provide context-awareness and leverages peer-to-peer interactions among mobile devices in order to ensure system-wide dissemination of data and services. Some of the current networking solutions developed within the project are also presented, highlighting the use of bio-inspired techniques and tools. The paper presents then a first version of the SerWorks architecture, which takes a unifying view on networks and services. In SerWorks, the network becomes a set of particular services, aimed at general connectivity purposes, which can be created and modified at runtime in order to accommodate for specific system conditions and higher-level constraints.