Abstract: A system for performing an application in a network-centric environment using capabilities attributed to the application. Each capability is assigned one or more priorities for the application. At least one node is configured to identify a change in the capabilities and negotiate in the network-centric environment to resolve the change. Nodes are may negotiate until the application is provided with resources resolving the change in accordance with applicable priorities. This method provides a self-healing capability in a net-centric environment. Thus an application may be enabled to continue even under rapidly changing circumstances.

Abstract: A method of managing a network includes configuring nodes and applications of the network to refer to the same framework of predefined network capabilities. Each of the applications is configured to implement one or more of the capabilities. Each of the applications also is configured to negotiate, as to each of the capabilities, with the nodes to obtain a network resource to support the capabilities. Each node is configured to negotiate, after an application obtains a network resource, with other nodes to optimize network resource allocation. This method provides a framework for application self-healing and network optimization that can improve network performance.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring of the performance of a network. From a set of predefined network capabilities, one or more of the network capabilities is attributed to an application of the network. Activity of the application running in the network is sampled to individually monitor each capability attributed to the application. This method allows the collection and evaluation of usage information for each application by network capability. A user can also manipulate a NCO environment by adding phantom nodes and/or resources to observe effects on capability loads.

Abstract: A method of managing resources in a network. For each application executing on a host device, data transfer requirements are determined based on a capability level currently acceptable for the application. Methods of data transfer currently available to the host device for applying toward the data transfer requirements of the applications are determined. The method includes arbitrating allocation of network resources to a gateway and allocation of resources of the gateway to the host device based on probability of application effectiveness and network bandwidth management priorities, and arbitrating allocation of host device resources to the applications based on current acceptable capability level and probability of application effectiveness.