Resource allocation and pricing for qos management in computer networks
Errin W. Fulp, Douglas S. Reeves · 1999
Computer networks must accommodate a wide variety of applications, ranging from simple file transfer programs to complex multimedia applications. Many of these applications require certain Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees for their proper operation. QoS guarantees include bounds on the packet delay, delay variation and loss rate. These guarantees can be provided through the allocation of network resources such as, processor time, buffer space and link bandwidth. Properly allocating network resources remains a challenging problem due to the number of users, diversity of network applications and the finite supply of resources. Furthermore, these resources are expected to have costs associated with their usage (amount and renegotiation). Given this environment, two important resource allocation issues are addressed in this thesis. First, methods are needed to reduce the amount of resources and renegotiations required to provide a desired QoS (thereby reducing the cost and increasing the utilization). Second, network administrators are interested in allocating and managing resources to all users in an efficient and fair manner. Determining an