Control as a Service - Intelligent Networking

The paper introduces elements of a service based perspective of a scalable and dynamic automation system architecture. The approach is based on potentially multi-role devices (implementing node management, processing and networking functionalities) hosting a set of services requested by input nodes. In addition, artificial intelligence support is described to provide means of reaching deployment optimality and reliability. Formal approaches are deemed necessary for both verification of the artificial intelligence approach and of the resulting solutions. A model-based design path is complementary considered in order to lead to an increased efficiency in resource utilization, to lowering design efforts, and ensure a formally correct allocation of services, according to system requirements and constraints.