Quality-of-service signaling for next-generation IP-based mobile networks

We present a novel end-to-end QoS architecture that enables seamless services over heterogeneous wireless access networks. We discuss the main architectural approaches and design issues of mobility-aware QoS signaling in IP networks. Then we introduce a QoS signaling architecture that integrates resource management with mobility management. It is based on a domain resource manager concept and nicely supports various handover types in an integrated approach. In particular, we support anticipated handover with pre-reservation of resources over the old network before the mobile node is attached to the new access point.     

WCDMA IP多媒体子系统中基于策略的QoS管理

WCDMA可为用户提供高速的多媒体业务,为了能够更好地提供多媒体业务,3GPP标准化组织自R5版起在分组域上添加了IP多媒体子系统,利用IP多媒体子系统提供端到端的、有QoS保证的、基于IP的多媒体应用服务,其核心部分就是基于策略的QoS控制管理.本文将详细介绍IP多媒体子系统中基于策略的QoS管理体系结构,以及它是如何实现QoS保证的.     

Toward IP virtual private network quality of service: a service provider perspective

To complement classical enterprise wide area network infrastructures, IP (based) virtual private networks have been gaining ground, with the capability of offering cost-effective, secure, and private-network-like services. In order to provision the equivalent quality of service of legacy connection-oriented layer 2 virtual private networks (VPNs), IP VPNs have to overcome the intrinsically best effort characteristics of the Internet in this multimedia era. This article discusses the IP VPN quality of service (QoS) issue from a service provider point of view, where QoS guarantees are carried out at the network level as well as at the node level. It presents the whole picture by highlighting and stitching together various QoS enabling technologies from previous research and engineering work.     

Mobile IP-DECT internetworking architecture supporting IMT-2000applications

Realistic realization and mass acceptance of mobile data services require networking architectures offering acceptable quality of service and attractive tariffs. A novel strategy for this goal is maximum integration of popular data networking standards and their infrastructure into wireless networks. This article discusses a Mobile IP-based network architecture to provide IP services in DECT to support IMT-2000 applications. DECT offers micromobility within multicell subnets, while Mobile IP supports macromobility between multicell subnets. Incorporating Mobile IP into the DECT handoff mechanism in this way extends DECT micromobility with IP macromobility. Also, utilizing fast, seamless DECT handoff management reduces Mobile IP handoff delay to circumvent TCP throughput degradation during handoff and reduce frequency of Mobile IP signaling over the ether to conserve spectral efficiency. This feature seamlessly unifies DECT with the global Internet. Seamless integration of DECT with the Internet is crucial due to the continuing phenomenal popularity of the Internet and wireless communications, and ubiquity of DECT systems. To achieve the above DECT/IP interworking efficiently, the architecture introduces a network entity called a DECT service switching point, which is an extended DECT central control fixed part. DECT network-level services are mapped onto those of the IETF integrated services architecture to maintain QoS provided by DECT in the backbone Internet. Mobile Resource Reservation Protocol, an extended RSVP tailored to mobile networking, is adopted to provide the needed signaling in IntServ. The proposed architecture preserves traditional non-IP based services such as PSTN voice     

Application-Level QoS Negotiation and Signaling for Advanced Multimedia Services in the IMS

The IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) has been recognized as a reference next-generation network architecture for offering multimedia services over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based infrastructure. One of the key benefits of the IMS is efficient and flexible introduction of new services and access to third-party application providers, thanks to standard interfaces and standardized service capabilities. To support novel media-rich applications across a wide range of user devices and access networks, IMS must support negotiable quality of service (QoS) for IP multimedia sessions. In this article, we describe the application-level QoS signaling as specified by the 3GPP and propose some enhancements based on advanced QoS parameter matching and optimization functionality to be included along the signaling path. We outline various signaling flow scenarios and discuss them in the context of a case study involving an IMS-supported 3D virtual environment, featuring a treasure-hunt-like game.     

ATM in MPLS-based converged core data networks

Services supported by asynchronous transfer mode account for the majority of data and Internet service revenues generated by carrier networks today. This is based on ATM's ability to support high availability services with quality of service. However, the influences of the Internet and a highly dynamic telecommunications market have raised demands for increased flexibility while controlling costs. Therefore, future carrier networks are likely to continue to be based on established technologies, such as ATM, as well as IP. In many cases, this is achieved through maintaining separate ATM and IP core networks, with the IP network supporting Internet services, while the ATM network continues to support guaranteed services such as private lines, broadband access, and video. In some cases, however, it can be advantageous for a carrier to transport segments of their ATM network over their IP network core; for example, to transport ATM traffic currently carried on leased facilities onto an IP network where the service provider owns the facilities. Developments in IP and MPLS-based traffic engineering and QoS may increase the ability of IP-based networks to support ATM services using MPLS. This article provides an overview of approaches enabling a network based on MPLS that naturally supports IP services to also support ATM services. The drivers and requirements for convergence on an IP/MPLS core network are presented, followed by an overview of the different approaches and associated challenges currently being debated in the standards bodies.     

Traffic scheduling in a photonic packet switching system with QoSguarantee

The main challenge in the design of future broadband networks is to efficiently support high-bandwidth multimedia services. Recent advances in the optical networking reveal that all optical networks offering multigigabit rate per wavelength may soon become economical as the underlying backbone in wide area networks, in which photonic switch plays a central role. Two issues are the essential in the design of photonic packet switching, the support of end-to-end virtual connections and the support of diverse quality-of-service (QoS) services. Existing work in wide-area optical networks has largely focused on the former, relatively less attention has been given to support heterogeneous traffic types and to satisfy the potentially different QoS requirements of different types of traffic. In this paper, we introduce a novel hierarchical scheduling framework to use in a class of photonic packet switching systems based on WDM, in which we separate the flow scheduling from the transmission scheduling. We show such separation is essential for achieving scalability such that large input-output ports can be accommodated, and also for offering flexibility in that optimal scheduling algorithms can be derived in different level that can be best tuned to the specific system requirements. The salient feature of the proposed scheduling mechanism is that it takes into account potentially different QoS requirements from different traffic flows. A number of interesting findings are observed from the results obtained by both analysis and simulation: (1) QoS requirements can be satisfied for both real-time and nonreal-time flows; (2) the impact Of the real-time traffic head-of-line (HoL) blocking on the system throughput can be effectively alleviated with the prevailing number of traffic flows. In addition, we investigate a variety of performance measures under different system configurations     

QoS issues in the converged 3G wireless and wired networks

The Internet evolution delineated through the last years has urged the wireless network community to support the deployment of IP multimedia services with guaranteed quality of service (QoS) in 3G wireless networks. This article copes with the interoperability between 3G wireless networks and wired next-generation IP networks, for the provision of services with an a priori known quality level over both environments. More specifically, the UMTS architecture as well as a prototypical implementation of the next-generation Internet based on DiffServ are considered. The article focuses on the mapping among the traffic classes of the two networks at the point where the networks converge, and discusses the requirements and possible solutions for their proper interworking at the signaling and user levels. Simulations prove that proper mapping among the traffic classes of each world is necessary in order to achieve the desired end-to-end traffic characteristics.     

Differentiated Wavelength Assignment with QoS Recovery for DWDM Next Generation Internet Backbone Networks

This paper describes a differentiated wavelength assignment strategy for the appropriate allocation of wavelengths on wavelength-routed quality of service (QoS) routes with differentiated QoS class and recovery capabilities. The paper is based on the differentiated MPS services (DMS) model as a framework for optical bandwidth management and the real time provisioning of optical channels in re-configurable transport networks. MPS stands for multi protocol lambda switching which is a functional part of GMPLS (generalized MPLS). We discuss here a QoS recovery scheme at the optical layer, at the MPS layer, and at the IP layer, as related to QoS failure caused by device failures or attack-induced faults in dense-wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transport networks. According to the QoS characteristics of wavelength in optical links and the type of used optical cross-connect (OXC) nodes, a differentiated wavelength assignment strategy that considers QoS recovery capability is also described. We point out important problems that should be resolved in the DMS model for optical QoS routing with differentiated wavelength assignment.     

QoS Recovery Schemes Based on Differentiated MPLS Services in All-Optical Transport Next Generation Internet

The Internet is evolving from best-effort service toward an integrated or differentiated service framework with quality-of-service (QoS) assurances that are required for new multimedia service applications. Given this increasing demand for high bandwidth Internet with QoS assurances in the coming years, an IP/MPLS-based control plane combined with a wavelength-routed dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical network is seen as a very promising approach for the realization of future re-configurable transport networks. Fault and attack survivability issues concerning physical security in a DWDM all-optical transport network (AOTN) require a new approach taking into consideration AOTN physical characteristics. Furthermore, unlike in electronic networks that regenerate signals at every node, attack detection and isolation schemes may not have access to the overhead bits used to transport supervisory information between regenerators or switching sites to perform their functions. This paper presents an analysis of attack and protection problems in an AOTN. Considering this, we propose a framework for QoS guarantees based on the differentiated MPLS service (DMS) model and QoS recovery schemes against QoS degradation caused by devices failures or attack-induced faults in an AOTN. We also suggest how to integrate our attack management model into the NISTs simulator—modeling, evaluation and research of lightwave networks (MERLiN).     

QoS Based Survivable Logical Topology Design in WDM Optical Networks

The need to establish wavelength-routed connections in a service differentiated manner is becoming increasingly important. In the backbone network, support of quality of service (QoS) capabilities at the lightpath level will have to be addressed in the optical domain. Providing a service differentiated connection on an arbitrary virtual topology which does not support any differentiated services will lead to the misuse of network resources. We address the virtual topology design and routing problem, where we minimize congestion in the network. In our work, the service differentiating parameter is bit error rate (BER) in the optical domain. We present a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulation for the above problem. We also propose a heuristic based approach to minimize the congestion in the network while satisfying the QoS constraints. These QoS constraints in our case are the differing BER requirements for each connection between each (source, destination) pair. We then present different methods of providing survivability for the virtual topology and compare the performance of these methods.     

Inter-domain lightpath provisioning policy in support of hierarchical multi-target QoS

As the DWDM distributed multi-domain optical networks has been advocated to be the next generation networks, there is a pressing need to propose a set of effective light path provisioning policies. Meanwhile, with the growth of service types, different types of service should be set in different priority levels and pursuit individual QoS requirements. Thus, a new lightpath provisioning policy in support of hierarchical multi-target QoS is proposed, which is self-adaptive to different services, able to support priority, and designed with a dynamic blocking recovery mechanism.     

QoS support on fourth generation networks

The arrival of fourth generation mobile networks, based on IP core networks, lead us to the development of certain services, such as: Quality of service, mobility and AAA. This paper proposes architecture to supply quality of service support based in the differentiated services technique, known as Diffserv. In the same way we analyze the main components of this architecture: QoS Broker (central policy broker of quality of service, whose goal is the appropriate configuration of the routers in the network), Access Router (in charge of the management of the queuing system in order to provide QoS) and the AAA server (management of QoS user profiles).     

Convergence of Protection and Restoration in Telecommunication Networks

This paper argues for the need for convergence of protection and restoration schemes in today's telecommunication networks. Such networks are presented both in a layered context and from an end-to-end perspective. Such convergence is both necessary to ensure inter-working amongst a multitude of technologies deployed and desirable to ensure simplified operations. This paper further identifies the issues and inter-working items that need resolution in today's telecommunication and data networks in order to achieve inter working amongst various existing and emerging restoration and protection schemes in a layered and end-to-end context. End-to-end context covers the access, metro, and long haul dimensions of the network. It also encompasses both the services and the transport layers of the network in the context of multi-domain, multi service provider networks. Layering issues arise from the mix of technologies at several layers for example: optical transmission and CWDM/DWDM at physical layer, SONET/SDH framing and management at layer-1, ATM, MPLS, Ethernet, and resilient packet rings at layer-2, and finally IP and routing protocols at layer-3. Given that some degree of routing and signaling intelligence is migrating down to the optical layer equipment, this whole layering concept is currently in transition. This paper shows the need for convergence in the form of a two level protection and restoration scheme. A service independent layer and a mesh restoration capability at the routing layer.     

Applying PTF/VTF routing policies in multilayer IP/MPLS-based ASON/GMPLS multi-domain networks

The IP/MPLS-based ASON/GMPLS hybrid network architecture enables the interaction between the IP layer and the optical dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) layer. This architecture makes it possible to transfer huge amounts of traffic data on DWDM networks, while supporting Internet Protocol (IP)-based service applications. Additionally, this architecture provides a unified routing scenario, which allows the dynamic routing in both the IP layer and/or optical layer. Cross- layer routing has been addressed in single domain networks scenarios, where the routing policies Physical Topology First (PTF) and Virtual Topology First (VTP) have been proposed and applied. However, applying cross-layer routing using both routing topology policies PTF and VTF has not been investigated in a multi-domain networks scenario yet. In this study, we address this issue and propose a routing scheme to establish traffic connections in the optical WDM layer and the IP layer, which makes the applicability of PTF and VTF in multilayer multi-domain network feasible.     

Layer 3 VPN Services over IPv6 Backbone Networks: Requirements, Technology, and Standardization Efforts

Layer 3 virtual private networks (L3VFN) enable organizations to connect geographically dispersed sites to one another across the packet switched network of a service provider. The most popular form of L3VPN is based on BGP/MPLS (border gateway protocol/multiprotocol label switching) technology in which the service provider offers a network-based IP VPN routing and forwarding service to its customers across its own IPv4-based MPLS backbone network. With the deployment of IPv6-based backbone networks underway, there is an emerging requirement to support these same L3VPN services across a native IPv6 backbone network. This introduces a requirement to provide routing and tunneling of IPv6 VPN (and IPv4 VPN) packets across an IPv6 backbone network. Softwires is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Working Group chartered to address the requirement of providing a generalized, network-based, multi-address family, IP routing and tunneling capability across native IP backbone networks pursuant to IPv6 transitions. Elements of the softwires work can form the basis of an L3VPN over IPv6 solution. After providing a brief overview of how L3VPN works in various topologies, this article presents the requirements for L3VPN services over an IPv6 backbone network and discusses a possible solution set that builds over the softwire technology and related IETF standards. Finally, we outline future directions and how the softwire technology can support new services and improved scalability     

COPS-SLS usage for dynamic policy-based QoS management over heterogeneous IP networks

While each IP domain can deploy its own strategy to manage network resources, multimedia traffic needs end-to-end QoS management to obtain an overall service level. The provision of end-to-end QoS over a heterogeneous environment implies the negotiation of a mutually acceptable SLA. This article presents the use of the COPS-SLS protocol as a generic protocol for automatic service-level negotiation and the integration of this protocol in an overall QoS management architecture to manage service levels over multiple domains deploying different QoS technologies.     

IP over optical cross-connect architectures [Topics in Optical Communications]

IP over optical network architectures have been extensively discussed within the research literature over the past few years. However, although signaling protocols between IP routers and optical cross-connect networks have been standardized, large IP backbones are not typically deployed over optical cross-connect networks with automatic reconfigurability features, such as automatic restoration or dynamic establishment of new IP links. One of the most important criteria in determining whether an IP backbone should be carried over such an optical cross-connect network is economic viability. In this article we analyze and explore four architectures for a typical large ISP backbone. In contrast with some other published claims, our results suggest it is more economically attractive to bypass an intermediate cross-connect network, given current equipment and IP backbone network design requirements. However, for ISPs who also provide a large volume of private line services, we propose an integrated architecture for IP over optical cross-connect networks that may provide an attractive alternative for providing rapid and cost-effective restoration from network failures     

Session-Based Quality of Service

A primary objective of a next generation network architecture is to develop a set of infrastructure capabilities that facilitate the creation and delivery of premium services. One of these capabilities, session-based quality of service (QoS), may be used by service providers or application service providers to assure the quality of delivery of their IP content/application sessions over broadband networks.This paper introduces session-based QoS and discusses a number of considerations arising in the design of this capability for broadband services in the next few years.