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The Complex World: Understanding Complexity in Systems

Complexity can be seen as the intricate arrangement of many parts, evident in mechanical, industrial, computer, and network systems. While complex systems enable diverse behaviors and self-adaptation, they also bring challenges like operational costs and vulnerabilities. The concept of simplicity in network design, pushing complexity to decentralized edges, reveals both the dream and the reality of managing complex interactions and security concerns. Businesses often thrive on generating complexity, yet simplicity and minimalism can be equally challenging yet rewarding.

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The Complex World: Understanding Complexity in Systems

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  1. Complexity a personal view Geoff Huston

  2. What is Complexity?

  3. Complexity “many parts in intricate arrangement” • mechanical systems • industrial processes • computer systems • networks

  4. The Good • Complex systems can encompass complex behaviours • self reflection • dynamic adaptation • self healing • multiple state outcomes

  5. The Good, the Bad Complex systems impose additional overheads • increased operational costs • higher specialization • reduced flexibility

  6. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Complex systems have complex interactions • hidden vulnerabilities can cause catastrophic failure

  7. The IP Dream Simple network hop-by-hop stateless datagram forwarding cheap, flexible, cheap, scaleable, cheap shift complexity out of the network Smart “edges” push rendezvous, flow control, traffic integrity off the network and into end systems and applications push complexity to a decentralized edge

  8. The IP Reality Complex Networks Switched MPLS fabric creates multiple layers Fast re-switch AND fast re-route Multi-response networks, dynamic flow control, active resource management Security sensitive responses Complex Edges rendezvous, flow control, traffic integrity, security, multi-protocol

  9. Complexity It’s easy to base a business on generating complexity! (ask any telco!) It’s actually quite hard to base a business on simplicity and minimalism (hard to find minimalist businesses that are still thriving today!)

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