Active networking and innovation: An evaluation of active networking as a driver of accelerated Internet innovation

Innovation has flourished at the edge of the Internet; however, the core has experienced a slower pace of innovation. This lag is impacting the pace of innovation at the edge and threatening quality as ad hoc solutions are implemented to overcome core network barriers to innovation. Active networking technology, which opens up the architecture of routers, is proposed as a standard solution. Researchers draw an analogy to the computer industry where innovation is claimed to be accelerated by modularization. This argument is valid to the extent that the router market is similar to the computer market; however, contemporary innovation theories cast doubt on this likelihood. These theories indicate that for active networking technology to accelerate Internet innovation, extraordinary measures will be required to break the status quo. This paper analyzes this situation and makes recommendations, based on innovation theory, on how active networking can be successful in accelerating Internet innovation.