[Nml-wg] Definitions of Topology, Domain and Network

[Jeroen van der Ham]

Hello,

As agreed at the last OGF, Inder and I have worked on the definitions of
Network, Topology and Domain.

- Topology: A connected graph of Network Elements
The intended usage of this is to describe the thing that a network
provider advertises to others as his network topology that is available
for use.

- Domain: An unordered collection of Network Elements managed under the
same shared policy umbrella.
This describes who or what is responsible for the Network Elements.

- Network: no definition
We had a discussion about the meaning of this term and in the end we had
to conclude that is not possible to provide a workable definition for
the term 'Network'. The term Network has become so widely used for so
many diverse meanings that it is impossible to create a strict
definition that everyone can agree on, while still expressing something
useful.


Inder & Jeroen.