In addition to providing IP style routing and forwarding as the default network level service, ANTS allows applications to introduce new protocols into the network. Applications specify the routines to be executed at the active network nodes that forward their messages. U. Legedza D.J. Wetherall and J. Guttag.
Capsules carry themselves the code to be executed on intermediate systems.
The provision of multicast services with active networking technology appears to be a promising idea. However, with these approaches support for heterogeneous group communication is not considered. The first two are product niches in their own right and are driving the development of programmable NIs. The latter is a research area that is pursuing the ability to dynamically deploy innovative network services rapidly and securely. D.J. Wetherall, U. Legedza, and J. Guttag.