Toronto Networking Seminar



An Axiomatic Basis for Communication 

Martin Karsten
School of Computer Science
University of Waterloo

Date:  Friday, February 16,  2pm
Location: BA1220 (Bahen Center)

Abstract:

The de-facto service architecture of today's communication networks lacks a well-defined and coherent theoretical foundation. With layering as the only means for functional abstraction, the diversity of current technologies cannot be expressed consistently and analyzed properly. In this work, we present an axiomatic formulation of fundamental mechanisms in communication networks. In particular, we reconcile the existing but somewhat fuzzy concepts of 'naming' and 'addressing' and present a consistent set of primitives that are sufficient to compose communication services. The long-term goal of this exercise is to better document, verify, evaluate, and eventually implement network services.

Bio:

Martin Karsten received his doctoral degree in computer science from Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, in July 2000 and has been a lecturer and team leader responsible for various research projects afterwards. He is currently an assistant professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, Canada. His research interests are network protocols and network layer technologies for wide-area networks.