Internet DRAFT - draft-irtf-coinrg-coin-terminology
draft-irtf-coinrg-coin-terminology
COINRG J. Hong
Internet-Draft ETRI
Intended status: Informational I. Kunze
Expires: 11 January 2024 K. Wehrle
RWTH Aachen
D. Trossen
Huawei
M. J. Montpetit
Concordia
X. de Foy
InterDigital Communications, LLC
D. Griffin
M. Rio
UCL
10 July 2023
Terminology for Computing in the Network
draft-irtf-coinrg-coin-terminology-01
Abstract
The term Computing in the Network (COIN) is used for a diverse set of
scenarios. Often associated with leveraging richer computing
capabilities within network elements, its clear scope is yet unknown.
This document tries to bring clarity to the current understanding of
COIN by providing an overview of the terminology and definitions to
streamline corresponding discussions.
Status of This Memo
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
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Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
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material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."
This Internet-Draft will expire on 11 January 2024.
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Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2023 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents (https://trustee.ietf.org/
license-info) in effect on the date of publication of this document.
Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Authors' Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1. Introduction
The ongoing development of ever richer computing capabilities within
network elements is often captured as Computing in the Network
(COIN). However, there are different interpretations of the term,
often revolving around the 'place' of execution, captured by the 'in-
network' aspect of COIN [TRANSPORT]. The different views range from
'only computations on networking hardware' on the one hand to 'COIN
is a subset of edge/cloud computing' on the other hand. These
differences in interpretation often lead to difficulties in
discussions.
The goal of this document is to contribute to the clarity in any
discussion on COIN through outlining what is a first understanding of
a terminology that ought to be used in such discussion. The first
definitions in this context were proposed by
[I-D.draft-kutscher-coinrg-dir-02] and later adapted by
[I-D.draft-irtf-coinrg-use-cases-04] before being moved to this
separate document for broader discussion.
With this in mind, this document captures the current state of
agreement on a common terminology. It is likely that the document
will (need to) see a future revision if this understanding is
improved through increased insights and changes in the views of the
community.
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2. Terminology
*Programmable Network Devices (PNDs):* network devices, such as
network interface cards and switches, which are programmable, e.g.,
using P4 or other languages. These devices are designed to provide
flexibility and customization options beyond the traditional static
configuration models.
*(COIN) Execution Environment:* a specific class of target
environments where functions or code can be executed, for example, a
JVM-based execution environment that can run functions represented in
JVM byte code
*COIN System:* the PNDs (and end systems) and their execution
environments, together with the communication resources
interconnecting them, operated by a single provider or through
interactions between multiple providers that jointly offer COIN
capabilities
*COIN Capability:* a feature enabled through the joint processing of
computation and communication resources in the network
*(COIN) Program:* a monolithic functionality that is provided
according to the specification for said program and which may be
requested by a user. A composite service can be built by
orchestrating a combination of monolithic COIN programs.
*(COIN) Program Instance:* a specific running instance of a COIN
program, created to fulfill user requests or as part of a composite
service. It encapsulates the code, data, and resources necessary for
executing the program and delivering the intended functionality.
*COIN Experience:* the holistic outcome of adopting and implementing
COIN, encompassing the advantages and benefits that arise from
distributed computing capabilities within the network infrastructure.
*COIN Function:* a specific computation or task that can be invoked
as part of a program. It contributes to the overall functionality of
the program by providing a modular and reusable unit of computation.
3. Security Considerations
TBD
4. IANA Considerations
N/A
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5. Conclusion
This document defines a core terminology for COIN at this point in
the work of COIN RG and is thus positioned as a living document which
may see revision in due course.
6. Informative References
[I-D.draft-irtf-coinrg-use-cases-04]
Kunze, I., Wehrle, K., Trossen, D., Montpetit, M., de Foy,
X., Griffin, D., and M. Rio, "Use Cases for In-Network
Computing", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft, draft-irtf-
coinrg-use-cases-04, 30 June 2023,
<https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-irtf-coinrg-
use-cases-04>.
[I-D.draft-kutscher-coinrg-dir-02]
Kutscher, D., Karkkainen, T., and J. Ott, "Directions for
Computing in the Network", Work in Progress, Internet-
Draft, draft-kutscher-coinrg-dir-02, 31 July 2020,
<https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-kutscher-
coinrg-dir-02>.
[TRANSPORT]
Kunze, I., Trossen, D., and K. Wehrle, "Evolving the End-
to-End Transport Layer in Times of Emerging Computing In
The Network (COIN)", 2022 IEEE 30th International
Conference on Network Protocols (ICNP),
DOI 10.1109/icnp55882.2022.9940379, October 2022,
<https://doi.org/10.1109/icnp55882.2022.9940379>.
Authors' Addresses
Jungha Hong
ETRI
218 Gajeong-ro, Yuseung-Gu
Daejeon
34129
Republic of Korea
Email: jhong@etri.re.kr
Ike Kunze
RWTH Aachen University
Ahornstr. 55
D-52074 Aachen
Germany
Email: kunze@comsys.rwth-aachen.de
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Klaus Wehrle
RWTH Aachen University
Ahornstr. 55
D-52074 Aachen
Germany
Email: wehrle@comsys.rwth-aachen.de
Dirk Trossen
Huawei Technologies Duesseldorf GmbH
Riesstr. 25C
D-80992 Munich
Germany
Email: Dirk.Trossen@Huawei.com
Marie-Jose Montpetit
Concordia University
Montreal
Canada
Email: marie@mjmontpetit.com
Xavier de Foy
InterDigital Communications, LLC
1000 Sherbrooke West
Montreal H3A 3G4
Canada
Email: xavier.defoy@interdigital.com
David Griffin
University College London
Gower St
London
WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
Email: d.griffin@ucl.ac.uk
Miguel Rio
University College London
Gower St
London
WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
Email: miguel.rio@ucl.ac.uk
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