NETWORKING: PASSIVE

Residential valves ACTIVE: A network in which the routers can execute code that is contained in the packets passing through them. The packets may also point to the code with a URL or have an identifier for code previously loaded in the routers. Because the network's behavior can be altered at any time, active networks could be used to provide dynamic quality of service (QoS) or to support dynamic solutions to traffic congestion
Commercial sprinklers PASSIVE:The traditional network in which routers are periodically updated by network administrators or by neighboring routers.
Telephony -- Large : Medium : Small : Residential
Networking -- Active Networking : Passive Networking