Bandwidth allocation and selective discarding for variable bit rate video and bursty data calls in ATM networks

Abstract

Congestion control mechanisms are required in ATM networks to fairly and efficiently allocate network resources to the various service types. Bandwidth allocation is a preventive control mechanism. On the basis of the traffic description given by the source, of the traffic load along the connection route and of the cell performance requirements, this mechanism gives a criterion to accept or reject a virtual connection request. A bandwidth called ‘equivalent bandwidth’ is allocated in order to ensure the cell transport objectives. This paper proposes a definition of equivalent bandwidth for stream, bursty data and variable bit rate video (VBRV) sources. The equivalent bandwidth values are evaluated by simulation considering both homogeneous and heterogeneous sources. In the heterogeneous mixes with different cell loss probability requirements the selective discarding mechanism permits a more efficient utilization of the network resources.