A Promise Theory Perspective on Data Networks

Abstract: Networking is undergoing a transformation throughout our industry. The need for scalable network control and automation shifts the focus from hardware driven products with ad hoc control to Software Defined Networks. This process is now well underway. In this paper, we adopt the perspective of the Promise Theory to examine the current and future states of networking technologies. The goal is to see beyond specific technologies, topologies and approaches and define principles. Promise Theory's bottom-up modeling has been applied to server management for many years and lends itself to principles of self-healing, scalability and robustness.