Definition

active network

An active network is a network in which the nodes are programmed to perform custom operations on the messages that pass through the node. For example, a node could be programmed or customized to handle packets on an individual user basis or to handle multicast packets differently than other packets. Active network approaches are expected to be especially important in networks of mobile users. "Smart packets" use a special self-describing language that allows new kinds of information to be carried within a packet and operated on by a node.

A Secure Active Network Environment (SANE) is an architecture for a trusted or secure active network.

Related glossary terms: virtual area network (VAN), 10-high-day busy period (10HD busy period), graceful degradation, online, softswitch, maximum transmission unit (MTU), traffic shaping (packet shaping), Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS), WATS (wide-area telephone service), mail user agent (MUA)

Contributor(s): Dan Kinnahan

This was last updated in September 2005

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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