Mobility and appliance networks - A new mobility model

In this paper we propose a novel network architecture, called Node-Centric Networking, that challenges current thinking about mobility in IP-based networks. We are motivated by the increasing proliferation of small personal mobile devices such as PDAs and mobile phones that people carry and the desire to support the development of novel applications for these devices, including the potential for interaction with a new class of device; Networked Appliances. Although IP host mobility now has a long research history to draw on, we are not convinced current solutions meet our vision for personal mobility services that will better enable new applications to be developed. Our challenge to present a new architectural model is based on creating networks of services that are centred on the user and the tasks they wish to perform. It is a form of Ad Hoc networking, though our approach is novel and we openly desire integration with, though not reliance on, fixed Internet infrastructure. Our key innovation is the unlinking of device mobility and service mobility, using IP as a separator. The paper first presents the overall vision for personal mobility services and explains some of the networking and application challenges and the work we have done to solve them.