DRoPS: kernel support for runtime adaptable protocols

Configurable protocols are tailored to operate efficiently within specific environments. Parameters such as application requirements, host capabilities and connection characteristics determine the appropriate internal mechanisms used by the protocol. Whilst such systems provide solutions tailored to specific environments, they are static and unable to adapt as this environment changes. Adaptable protocols extend the configurable approach, permitting the reconfiguration of arbitrary protocol functions at runtime in response to fluctuations in selected parameters. The Dynamically Reconfigurable Protocol Stacks project (DRoPS) provides operating system support for the efficient implementation, operation and reconfiguration of highly modular transport systems. This paper presents the motivations for adaptable protocols, a detailed review of the DRoPS architecture and experimental results derived from the implementation of a DRoPS based adaptable protocol.