Network virtualization through the virtual private ad hoc network concept

The internet is evolving towards a large "network of networks", integrating a large number of different networking technologies and offering users broadband connectivity at any time and place. As such users can enjoy more interactive, multi-media driven content (Web 2.0). however, many scenarios (personal networks, collaborative working, health care networks, emergency networks...) require secure communication between a limited number of possible distributed and mobile devices and for a variety of services and applications. Existing technologies such as VPN, P2P, VLAN... can only partially respond to the challenges involved. The novel concept of Virtual Private Ad Hoc Networks (VPAN) offers a solution to this complex problem by creating virtual networks on top of the existing network infrastructure. As such, in the future, users will not be restricted to work on a single device, but their device will act as portal to a number of Virtual Private Ad Hoc Networks, secure self-organizing network environments in which they can work in a transparent way, that each fulfill one of their specific communication needs and that shield all offered applications and resources from the outside world and other VPANs. As such, this concept enables a new form of communication on top of the broadband infrastructure, being complementary with the Web 2.0 evolution