Evaluating the applicability of QoS-aware bandwidth provisioning schemes: methodologies and results

To provide QoS (quality of service) in IP networks in an economical way, we can resort to QoS-aware adaptive bandwidth provisioning schemes. However, to exploit the most benefit from such schemes, we should have a thorough understanding of their operational features. The paper contributes to this goal. We present the evaluation methodologies and the obtained results concerning important and practical issues on the applicability of the provisioning scheme family that performs bandwidth assignments based on the use of the maximum variance asymptotic (MVA) bound. We discuss when, how and why it is reasonable to use such schemes. The suggestions are supported by both theoretical analysis and analytical, trace driven simulation, along with a comparison with the well-known effective bandwidth based dimensioning concept.