Topics for
TekSummit – R & D for Networks & Network Testing,
Hosted by GAO Research Inc.

Session 1: Network Architecture and Protocol Design

  • Next-generation network architectures (6G, Tactile Internet)
  • Future Internet and information-centric networking
  • Protocol innovation and design (QUIC, BBR, RINA)
  • Network slicing architecture for multi-service support
  • Layered and cross-layer protocol optimization
  • Stateless transport protocols and scalable addressing

Session 2: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

  • Programmable networks and southbound interface design (OpenFlow, P4)
  • Controller platform design and failover strategies
  • Virtualized network functions (VNFs) deployment optimization
  • SD-WAN architectures and orchestration
  • NFV performance benchmarking and testing frameworks
  • Service chaining and policy enforcement in virtual networks

Session 3: Wireless, 5G/6G, and Mobile Networks

  • Millimeter-wave and terahertz communication R&D
  • Massive MIMO and beamforming algorithm validation
  • Network densification and heterogeneous RAN architectures
  • Mobile edge computing and distributed cloud integration
  • AI-native radio and self-optimizing networks
  • 6G use case testing frameworks (holographic, XR, tactile feedback)

Session 4: Network Testbeds, Emulation, and Simulation Platforms

  • Large-scale programmable testbeds (e.g., FABRIC, GENI)
  • SDN/NFV virtualized labs for R&D validation
  • Packet-level simulation tools (NS-3, OMNeT++, Mininet)
  • Hybrid simulation-emulation environments
  • Scalable topology modeling and scenario generation
  • Digital twin modeling for network performance replication

Session 5: Network Performance Measurement and Benchmarking

  • Throughput, latency, jitter, and packet loss models
  • SLA-aware testing and KPI validation frameworks
  • Application-layer performance testing (VoIP, video, gaming)
  • Network telemetry and active/passive measurement tools
  • Benchmarking in high-speed networks (400G/800G)
  • Flow-level analytics and dynamic load evaluation

Session 6: Network Monitoring, Visibility, and Observability

  • Real-time streaming telemetry (gRPC, OpenTelemetry)
  • Deep packet inspection (DPI) and flow-level visibility
  • Packet capture tools and performance instrumentation
  • End-to-end path diagnostics and fault localization
  • Network observability in containerized and multi-cloud environments
  • eBPF/XDP-based monitoring in Linux-based infrastructure

Session 7: Internet of Things (IoT) and Low-Power Networks

  • Network protocol testing for constrained devices (CoAP, MQTT, 6LoWPAN)
  • BLE, Zigbee, Z-Wave, LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT integration and validation
  • Device interoperability and compliance testing
  • Edge intelligence and low-latency response evaluation
  • Over-the-air updates and lifecycle testing of IoT systems
  • Time-synchronization and power profiling in distributed IoT networks

Session 8: Network Security and Resilience Testing

  • Penetration testing and vulnerability discovery in networks
  • Intrusion detection/prevention system (IDS/IPS) validation
  • Secure routing protocol design and validation
  • Resilience against DDoS, BGP hijacking, and spoofing
  • Zero-trust architectures and policy enforcement testing
  • Network isolation and segmentation test methodologies

Session 9: AI-Driven Network Intelligence and Testing Automation

  • AI/ML for network anomaly detection and prediction
  • Generative models for synthetic traffic generation
  • Reinforcement learning in adaptive routing and resource allocation
  • Intelligent test orchestration with closed-loop feedback
  • Network policy inference and conflict resolution
  • Explainable AI (XAI) models for interpretable network behavior

Session 10: Optical and High-Capacity Network Technologies

  • Next-gen optical transport networks (OTN, WDM, PON)
  • Elastic optical networks and dynamic bandwidth allocation
  • Fiber characterization and optical signal integrity tests
  • Photonic switching and optical SDN testing
  • Integration of optical and IP/MPLS control planes
  • High-capacity transceiver testing (400ZR, 800G pluggables)

Session 11: Cloud, Edge, and Data Center Networks

  • Spine-leaf, CLOS, and multi-tier architecture R&D
  • Overlay network performance in cloud-native environments
  • Container networking and service mesh evaluation (Istio, Linkerd)
  • Edge cloud orchestration and traffic offloading
  • Load balancing and virtual switch testing (OVS, VPP)
  • Storage and compute network integration testing

Session 12: Network Testing Standards and Compliance

  • Protocol conformance testing (IETF, IEEE, ITU-T)
  • Multi-vendor interoperability and plugfest evaluations
  • Compliance testing for 3GPP, MEF, ONF, ETSI standards
  • RFC-based test cases and reference implementations
  • Test coverage analysis and result reproducibility
  • Regulatory and certification test methodologies

Session 13: Satellite, Aerial, and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)

  • Satellite-based broadband (LEO/MEO/GEO) testing scenarios
  • Hybrid terrestrial-satellite routing optimization
  • Delay-tolerant network (DTN) protocol experimentation
  • NTN RAN integration in 5G NR
  • Mobility and tracking in drone/UAV networks
  • Atmospheric and orbital factors in link quality modeling

Session 14: Emerging Networking Paradigms

  • Quantum communication networks and entanglement routing
  • Blockchain-based networking and trust models
  • Intent-based networking (IBN) platforms and validation
  • Digital twin-enabled network modeling
  • Neuromorphic and bio-inspired network algorithms
  • Space-air-ground integrated network architecture testing

Session 15: Energy-Efficient Networking and Green Test Frameworks

  • Energy-efficient protocol stack design
  • Test methodologies for power consumption profiling
  • Network energy efficiency metrics and benchmarks
  • Solar/wind-powered edge test environments
  • Sustainable data center interconnect (DCI) evaluation
  • Energy-aware traffic shaping and off-peak scheduling

Session 16: Ethical, Societal, and Educational Dimensions in Network R&D

  • Privacy-preserving networking and data anonymization testing
  • Ethical implications of deep traffic inspection
  • Global access and digital divide testing frameworks
  • Responsible innovation and R&D impact analysis
  • Hands-on testbed curricula for academic programs
  • Community-driven open-source testing platforms
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