An overlay approach for enabling access to dynamically shared backbone GMPLS networks

In this paper, we address the question of how to introduce new Quality-of-Service enhancements into the existing Internet. Specifically, dynamically shared circuit-switched/virtual-circuit (VC) networks are being deployed in some of the backbone research and education networks. We describe an overlay solution for enabling access of end hosts that are not physically connected to these networks to nevertheless benefit from their services. Our solution is to use Web proxy servers that are dually connected to the Internet and these backbone circuit/VC networks. We implemented and demonstrated our solution on a wide-area experimental GMPLS network called CHEETAH. Building on our prior results, which show the benefits of using this network for wide-area transfers of large files, we demonstrated performance benefits for Web clients. For example, in an experimental setup, we showed that for a 10-MB file, the Web throughput improves from 17 Mb/s to 61 Mb/s by using this overlay solution. In addition, this technique offers a method for introducing new QoS-oriented network services in a backbone network to non-connected users.