Integrating Multiple and Heterogeneous Challenged Networks for Large-Sized Data Transfer

The present paper is motivated by the question how we can quickly transfer large-sized file if multiple (heterogeneous) networks are available but each of which has quite insufficient performance for the requested task. We propose a research framework for large-sized data transfer by integrating multiple and heterogeneous challenged access networks, in which long delays, leaks (heavy packet losses), and frequent disconnections are observed. The goal is to utilize all the limited available resources on challenged access networks, without degradation of total performance of all the users sharing those same networks. An important feature is to explicitly separate and flexibly treat transmission of control information and that of data information consisting of data transfer, by conveying them on different types of communication media in different ways, depending upon the characteristics of the transmitting information and the communication medium (network path).