A new traffic engineering manager for DiffServ/MPLS networks: Design and implementation on an IP QoS testbed

Abstract

In a multi-service network, different applications have varying QoS requirements. The IETF has proposed the DiffServ architecture as a scalable solution to provide Quality of Service (QoS) in IP Networks. In order to provide quantitative guarantees and optimization of transmission resources, DiffServ mechanisms should be complemented with efficient traffic engineering (TE) mechanisms, which operate on an aggregate basis across all classes of service. The MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology is a suitable method to provide TE, independent of the underlying layer2 technology. Currently, the combined use of Differentiated Services (DiffServ) and MPLS is a promising technique to provide Quality of Service (QoS), while efficiently exploiting network resources. In this paper, TEAM, an automated manager for DiffServ/MPLS networks is introduced and its design. The design and implementation details are discussed. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.