Bandwidth Measurement and Management for End-to-End Connectivity over IP Networks

The paper describes a policy-based model for cost-effective 'data connectivity' provisioning between session-level end-points. The connectivity provider (SP) may employ an architecture for end-to-end QoS control between data aggregation points. It involves: i) maintaining multiple diffserv-type connections between end-points with parameterizable QoS differentiation between them, and ii) admission control at end-points with intserv-type bandwidth management over connections. (ii) aggregates data flows with closely-similar QoS needs over a single end-to-end connection. (i) apportions the available infrastructure bandwidth between various end-to-end connections that carry (aggregated) data flows with distinct QoS levels. Flow aggregation over a connection allows reaping the statistical multiplexing gains in bandwidth, i.e., meets the SP's revenue incentives. Whereas, connection-level bandwidth allocation allows meeting the QoS needs of data flows, i.e., guarantees the end-user's utility. The management functions of SP monitor the changes and/or outages in network bandwidth in a dynamic setting (as in IP-based networks), and maps them onto the connectivity costs incurred for QoS control. Our model allows installing policy functions at end-points for cost-optimal connectivity provisioning.