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Calls & Context
SEQUIN
Service Quality across Independently Managed Networks
Abstract
An end-to-end definition of network QoS to satisfy needs of international user groups is provided. The definition is complemented by an architecture and implementation model in a multi-domain and multi technology environment, leading to the definition of a Premium IP service. A set of tests, both in laboratory and in live production IP networks has been conducted to validate the implementation model of the Premium IP service. The service is complemented by the definition of an end to end Service Level Specification and techniques for the monitoring and validation of an end to end SLA for QoS. The project concludes with providing guidelines and recommendations for wide scale implementation of Premium IP.
Objectives
The objective of SEQUIN is to define and implement and end-to-end approach to network Quality of Service that will operate across multiple management domains and will exploit a variety of networking technologies (IP, ATM).
SEQUIN will ensure that researchers across Europe have access to networking facilities that can be tailored to the requirements of the individual groups, and which will offer predictable and stable quality across multiple underlying management domains and networking technologies.
Technical Approach
To achieve the objectives the workplan has been organised to understand user requirements and a technological analysis of the features of hardware and software currently available.
A set of international user groups was interviewed in respect of their requirements for Quality of Service. The interview covered both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the user's needs. In particular users were asked about limitations imposed by current network infrastructure to carry out their applications. Users were also asked to provide their views on specific performance parameters such as available capacity, packet loss, one way delay and delay variation. These parameters were chosen as the technical analyses of hardware and software revealed that it is possible to alter the performance values of these parameters. The combined user and technological analysis led to the definition of a Premium IP service based on the IETF diff-serv model, with emphasis on the multi-domain and multi-technology environment. The implementation model is then subject to a set of operational validation tests in a controlled environment, to outline the effectiveness of the model.
Testbed
A set of proof of concept tests using laboratory facilities to test the functionality required by routers to implement the Premium IP service were carried out and have proved successful. The tests focused on router functionality for the classification, marking, policing and scheduling of IP packets and have been performed on Juniper and Cisco 12408 series routers.
A set of tests with an international user group has been conducted to verify the multi-domain operation of Premium IP. Users running H.323 video-conferencing in France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Switzerland made use of an ad-hoc configuration of production routers to support Premium IP in a multi-domain and multi-technology environment. This test has outlined that Premium IP can operate well in such an environment and can offer network performance guarantees in terms of the four parameters identified (capacity, packet loss, one way delay, delay variation).
Expected Results
It is expected to provide recommendations for a large scale deployment of Premium IP across the pan European gigabit network GÉANT and the NRENs connected to it. These recommendations will be the result of further testing with three or four international user groups. These tests will aim to trial the techniques with a greater variety of networking equipment and networking technologies, with a greater variety of networking topologies. It is expected to provide guidelines for the operational service management of Premium IP, including the definition of a Service Level Specification and mechanisms for the end to end monitoring of the QoS parameters for the validation of SLAs.
Innovation
The main innovations of SEQUIN are related to the definition and implementation of QoS in a multi-domain and multi-technology environment. Although the devised Premium IP model is based on the diff-serv acttivity of the IETF, to date there has been no implementation of a model to offer end-to-end QoS to end users in an operational multi-domain environment. The definition of a Service Level Specification and of a Service Level Agreement for QoS in a multi-domain environment are an important contribution to innovation of this project.
- Project name:
- SEQUIN
- Contract no:
- IST-1999-20841
- Project type:
- RTD
- Start date:
- 01/11/2000
- Duration:
- 18 months
- Total budget:
- €921,677
- Funding from the EC:
- €50%
- Total effort in person-months:
- 84
- Website:
- http://www.dante.net/sequin
- Contact person:
- Dr. Dai Davies
- email: Dai.Davies@dante.org.uk
- tel: +44 1223 302 992
- fax: +44 1223 303 005
- Project participants:
- DANTE - UK
- DFN - D
- GRNET - GR
- INFN-GARR - IT
- PSNC - PL
- RENATER - FR
- SWITCH - CH
- UKERNA - UK
- Keywords:
- Premium IP
- QoS
- Collaboration with other EC funded projects:
- MOICANE