Distributed Transient Network
Encyclopedia
Distributed Transient Network (DTN) is defined as: the type of network which is inherently decentralized by nature and consists mainly of nodes which are not per se constantly a part of the network and are able to join or leave at any time at any place in the network.
It is a well known paradigm within computer science
. For example well known distributed transient networks are Peer-to-peer
and ad hoc
computer network
s. The DTN-paradigm is mainly aimed at providing a network
that consists of nodes that are scattered around (either physical or logical) and on which nodes may come and go at any time at any place within the network
. This DTN itself is ultimately used for providing services such as connectivity
or peer-to-peer filesharing.
A DTN has the following properties that define its paradigm:
As said before, well known DTN implementations are p2p and ad hoc
computer network
s. These networks however are implemented at very different layers of the OSI model
. p2p is mainly software operating in the Application layer of the OSI model
and forms a DTN which can be spread over the entire world. ad hoc
computer network
s however operate in the Network layer and are mostly networks that are physically close to each other.
It is a well known paradigm within computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
. For example well known distributed transient networks are Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
and ad hoc
Ad hoc
Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori....
computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
s. The DTN-paradigm is mainly aimed at providing a network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
that consists of nodes that are scattered around (either physical or logical) and on which nodes may come and go at any time at any place within the network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
. This DTN itself is ultimately used for providing services such as connectivity
Connectivity (graph theory)
In mathematics and computer science, connectivity is one of the basic concepts of graph theory: it asks for the minimum number of elements which need to be removed to disconnect the remaining nodes from each other. It is closely related to the theory of network flow problems...
or peer-to-peer filesharing.
A DTN has the following properties that define its paradigm:
- Decentralized network architecture
- Transient node/network behavior (both physical and logical)
- Heterogeneity of network node resources
- Self managing/healing network
- Nodes are automatically discovered and added to the DTN
- One node is able to reach all other nodes within the DTN
As said before, well known DTN implementations are p2p and ad hoc
Ad hoc
Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori....
computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
s. These networks however are implemented at very different layers of the OSI model
OSI model
The Open Systems Interconnection model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection effort at the International Organization for Standardization. It is a prescription of characterizing and standardizing the functions of a communications system in terms of abstraction layers. Similar...
. p2p is mainly software operating in the Application layer of the OSI model
OSI model
The Open Systems Interconnection model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection effort at the International Organization for Standardization. It is a prescription of characterizing and standardizing the functions of a communications system in terms of abstraction layers. Similar...
and forms a DTN which can be spread over the entire world. ad hoc
Ad hoc
Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori....
computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
s however operate in the Network layer and are mostly networks that are physically close to each other.