Researchers have recently proposed many new Internet architectures and overlay networks (e.g. RON, i3, HIP) in order to add new functionality to the Internet. However, users are often unwilling to switch from their favorite applications just for leveraging the new functionality offered. It is thus important to enable legacy applications (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox, SSH) to work on new architectures and overlays. Rewriting/recompiling all legacy applications for each new architecture is a tedious and often impossible task.

OCALA (Overlay Convergence Architecture for Legacy Applications) is an overlay convergence architecture that allows legacy applications to leverage the functionality of new architectures and overlays without any source code modification, recompilation or reconfiguration. OCALA allows a user to simultaneously access multiple overlays for different purposes, stitch together the varied functionality offered by different overlays, as well as communicate with hosts residing in overlays the user is not directly connected to. OCALA also factors out the common requirements for supporting legacy applications -- researchers can concentrate on designing new network architectures, rather than getting legacy applications to work.

Please find more infos on the OCALA homepage