The Available Bit Rate (ABR) traffic class proposed for ATM networks is intended for delay-tolerant, Internet-style traffic: traffic types that can dynamically change their traffic flow to adjust to as much or as little bandwidth as is available in the network. Feedback control is proposed as the mechanism to manage this type of traffic, so that ABR traffic does not adversely impact the quality of service received by CBR and VBR traffic streams.
The challenge, then, is how to dynamically allocate bandwidth to ABR traffic, so that each ABR traffic source receives a fair allocation, while also ensuring a reasonably high network utilization, and minimal adverse impact on the overall cell loss ratio (CLR) in the network.
Our research is currently addressing such mechanisms for ABR traffic. One approach studies the effectiveness of network pricing as a means to regulate traffic demand. Another approach looks at applying loss-load curves, a bidding framework for dynamic bandwidth allocation amongst competing traffic sources, as a means to regulate ABR traffic. Simulation is the primary means used to assess the effectiveness of these two policies. This research is led primarily by Carey Williamson.
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