The current challenge for the network systems is the reduction of human intervention in the fundamental management functions and the development of mechanisms that will render the network capable to autonomously configure, optimize, protect and heal itself, handling in parallel the emerging complexity. The in-network cognitive cycle will allow the continuous improvement of management functions of individual network elements and collectively of a whole network system. This paper proposes the software components for the engineering of an innovative self-managed future Internet system that will support visionary research through experimentation.