Terminology for Computing in the Network
draft-irtf-coinrg-coin-terminology-00

COINRG                                                          I. Kunze
Internet-Draft                                                 K. Wehrle
Intended status: Informational                               RWTH Aachen
Expires: 11 September 2023                                    D. Trossen
                                                                  Huawei
                                                         M. J. Montpetit
                                                               Concordia
                                                               X. de Foy
                                        InterDigital Communications, LLC
                                                              D. Griffin
                                                                  M. Rio
                                                                     UCL
                                                           10 March 2023

                Terminology for Computing in the Network
                 draft-irtf-coinrg-coin-terminology-00

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 through defining a terminology to streamline corresponding
   discussions.

Status of This Memo

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   This Internet-Draft will expire on 11 September 2023.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2023 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

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   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents (https://trustee.ietf.org/
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   Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights
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Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
   2.  Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
   3.  Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   4.  IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   5.  Conclusion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   6.  Informative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   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-02] 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.

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.

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   (COIN) Execution Environment: a class of target environments for
   function execution, 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: one running instance of a program

   COIN Experience: a new user experience brought about through the
   utilization of COIN capabilities

3.  Security Considerations

   TBD

4.  IANA Considerations

   N/A

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-02]
              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-02, 7 March 2022,
              <https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-irtf-coinrg-
              use-cases-02>.

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   [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

   Ike Kunze
   RWTH Aachen University
   Ahornstr. 55
   D-52074 Aachen
   Germany
   Email: kunze@comsys.rwth-aachen.de

   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

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   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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