Objectif
Main Objective
The project will investigate the technical feasibility of an "Integrated Services Architecture" which is based on Internet technology, but uses specific features of ATM networks; in particular switched connections with guaranteed Quality of Service. The key objectives are:
-practical experimentation on an Internet Integrated Services architecture;
-usage of existing wide-area ATM networks to support QoS guarantees through ATM switched connections (signalling);
-integration of a trial testbed which makes realistic assumptions about the way terminals are connected to the network (i.e. through a LAN or ISDN using an edge device connected to the wide-area ATM backbone);
-study and prototype implementation of charging and admission control mechanisms which apply to individual QoS requests issued by a user's terminal;
-provision of a sample application to demonstrate the manifold possibilities for using the enhanced network features in multimedia services.
Technical Approach
The project will provide a transnational testbed that will bring some of the key advantages of ATM (in particular QoS) to end systems that are not directly connected to an ATM network but via other technologies; such as Local Area Network or ISDN/POTS connections. The technical basis for the integration of such a heterogeneous network platform is the Internet Protocol (IP) together with its extensions for an Integrated Services architecture (e.g. RSVP). A set of end systems and applications will be provided which support QoS requests over IP. These end systems will be used in several trial islands in different European countries where they will be connected to typical access technologies for business and residential users (LANs, ISDN or POTS). By means of special "edge devices", the islands will be interconnected through a trans-European ATM network which is capable of establishing switched ATM connections. This backbone network will be derived from the INSIGNIA (ACTS project AC068) trial configuration.
Summary of the Trials
The ELISA application will be demonstrated in a testbed which will involve wide-area ATM networks. The following ATM wide-area networks will be used for the experimentation:
-ATM networks which already provide switched connections as a commercial service offer
-Europe-wide research networks providing experimental switched connections, e.g. based on a successor of the JAMES network. The project consortium has optimal access to both kinds of networks, since it comprises network operators with high experience in ATM technology. One of the project partners operates an ATM network with a commercial switched connection service (thus providing the first kind of testbed). The second kind of testbed can be realised based on the experience of the INSIGNIA trials, since ELISA has access to INSIGNIA infrastructure. INSIGNIA has shown the interworking of different ATM switches in a public wide-area ATM network.
The detailed planning will be performed within a particular work package of the project.
Expected Achievements
-Definition of an architecture for an RSVP over ATM solution and of an architecture for edge devices which interconnect IP and ATM.
-Design of edge devices to interconnect different access network technologies using TCP/IP and RSVP and an ATM core network using SVCs.
-Development of an efficient flow admission control algorithm which will guarantee the QoS requirements of the application components according to the RSVP parameters mapped into ATM traffic parameters.
-Selecting a charging scheme suitable for the type of application used in the project.
-Development of a charging and billing mechanism able to cope with IP traffic characteristics.
Expected Impact
The project generally aims to broaden the range of applications and users for high-speed networking in Europe by integrating advanced network features into Internet-based applications. If applied to public networks on a large scale, the project results will enable a new generation of Internet applications which are characterised by high-quality and real-time multimedia transmission, but also by a different economic model than in normal Internet usage (individual billing for improved QoS). Such an integrated Internet/ATM network will have a number of implications.
Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
A comprehensive concept for complete integration of ATM, IntServ and DiffServ to achieve QoS for the Internet
Contribution to the programme
ELISA contributes by provision of advanced multimedia communications services in a way that combines the advantages of Internet technology and ATM networks
Key Issues
-Practical experimentation on an Internet Integrated Services architecture;
-Usage of existing wide-area ATM networks to support QoS guarantees through ATM switched connections;
-Integration of a trial testbed which makes realistic assumptions about the way terminals are connected to the network;
-Provision of an example application to demonstrate the manifold possibilities to use the enhanced network features in multimedia services.
Champ scientifique
Thème(s)
Appel à propositions
Data not availableRégime de financement
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinateur
D-81359 München
Allemagne