NSF Org:	CNS Division Of Computer and Network Systems
Recipient:	BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date:	September 17, 2009
Latest Amendment Date:	September 17, 2009
Award Number:	0916283
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Darleen Fisher CNS  Division Of Computer and Network Systems CSE  Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Start Date:	September 15, 2009
End Date:	August 31, 2013 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$150,540.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$150,540.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2009 = $150,540.00
History of Investigator:	Michael Thompson (Principal Investigator) mst008@bucknell.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Bucknell University 1 DENT DR LEWISBURG PA  US  17837-2005 (570)577-3510
Sponsor Congressional District:	15
Primary Place of Performance:	Bucknell University 1 DENT DR LEWISBURG PA  US  17837-2005
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	15
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	LT7CLFEE1ZW4
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Networking Technology and Syst
Primary Program Source:	01000910DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	HPCC, 7923, 9218, 7363
Program Element Code(s):	736300
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.070

ABSTRACT

Modern networks invalidate many of the assumptions of traditional networking. For example, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) invalidate the assumption that there will be stable routes in the network, throwing traditional routing techniques into disarray. Handheld computing devices further challenge assumptions about platform mobility. While the need for cross-layer design to meet these new challenges has become well known, no replacement for the traditional network stack has emerged yet. Implementing experimental cross-layer approaches on commodity hardware and software remains challenging.

In this project we are building a framework for modular, extensible, experimental, network stack implementation, called the FINS (Flexible Internetwork Stack) Framework. The framework allows users to leverage existing protocols (such as TCP and IP) where needed, providing implementations that provide more real-time control and transparency than is available in existing implementations, while allowing users to replace or modify components as desired. Thus, the FINS Framework allows researchers ready access to the network stack in a manner previously possible only in simulation or by making painstaking operating system modifications.

The FINS Framework facilitates ready implementation of new network technologies and context-aware applications thereby lowering the bar for participation in experimental networking research. The initial implementation of the framework is on handheld devices. The framework is being released via open source license, making it broadly available to the research community. A set of hands-on networking course modules utilizing the FINS Framework and handheld devices is being developed, and utilized for undergraduate research at a predominantly undergraduate institution.

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