Bandwidth allocation and selective discarding for variable bit rate video and bursty data calls in ATM networks

Congestion control mechanisms are required in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks to fairly and efficiently allocate network resources to the various service types. Bandwidth assignment is a preventive control mechanism. A bandwidth called equivalent bandwidth is allocated in order to ensure the cell transport objectives. A definition is proposed of equivalent bandwidth for stream, bursty data and variable bit rate video sources. The equivalent bandwidth values are evaluated by simulation considering both homogeneous and heterogeneous sources. In the heterogeneous mixes with different cell loss probability requirements the selective discarding mechanism permits a more efficient utilization of the network resources