Enhanced distributed explicit rate allocation for ABR services in ATM networks

Abstract

Rate allocation for available bit-rate (ABR) services in ATM networks has received a considerable amount of attention, but important issues such as bandwidth fairness, MCR rate guarantees, and queue control still require further investigation. In light of these concerns, an enhanced rate allocation algorithm is proposed for congestion management using explicit rate feedback control. The algorithm uses fast, exact rate computations and is capable of achieving a variety of MCR-related fairness criteria. The scheme handles transient effects and can function in heterogeneous networks carrying higher priority real-time traffic. Simulation results for a wide range of network scenarios demonstrate that the algorithm effectively controls queue buildups and achieves good fairness. Performance scalability to large networks under challenging conditions is also shown for a given control parameter set.