Extended future internet: An IP pervasive network including interplanetary communication?

Starting from the evolution of Internet, this paper addresses the concept of pervasive computing whose aim is to create a pervasive network of heterogeneous devices which communicate data with each other and with other networking devices in a seamless way through heterogeneous network portions. This operative framework is also called Future Internet. Extending the idea of pervasive computing to interplanetary and other challenging links implies adding to the classical problems of pervasive communications such as quality of service, mobility and security, peculiarities such as intermittent connectivity, disruptive links, large and variable delays, and high bit error rates which are currently tackled through the paradigm of Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTNs). Satellite systems used to connect isolated and rural areas have already to cope with a series of challenges that are magnified in space communications characterized by huge distances among network nodes. At the same time, a space communication system must be reliable over time and the importance of enabling Internet-like communications with space vehicles (as well as with rural areas) is increasing, making the concept of extended Future Internet of practical importance. This paper will discuss this challenging issue.