The networking infrastructure that has emerged over the last decade has changed both the way we do business, and the way we organise our lives. Underlying today's computer networks is not just a packet transport service, but a myriad of information services that collect data about network users, devices, routes, faults and usage. The computer systems that process, monitor, filter and aggregate this information - network management systems, billing systems, fault and fraud detection systems - are as integral to the operation of a computer network as packet forwarding itself is.

Stephen Blott's research has focused, in recent years, on how to enable new network services and new network businesses through efficient collection and management of network data. This has included the management of network usage data, and payment related services including, in particular, projects on aggregating network billing data, aggregating IP network usage data for billing and accounting purposes, and the collection of payment information for Internet content.

Going forward, Dr. Blott is also developing research projects that address broader changes in the way network services are being developed. Specifically, the first generation of network applications were monolithic, with all the necessary functionality bundled into a single application. Increasingly, however, pieces of those applications are being broken off and implemented separately as so-called network services. In effect, a new networking layer is being built between applications, wherein a single request from an end user is routed between online services, and fulfilled by a number of cooperating services. Today, the inter-relationship between these services is largely ad hoc. However, a more principled approach to the architecture and design of this next generation of services will, in the long run, create a more sustainable and flexible network infrastructure.