Towards Scaleable Error Control for Reliable Multipoint Services in ATM Networks
Georg Carle · 1995
Advanced applications, such as distributed multimedia applications, require efficient communication subsystems providing a variety of services. Existing communication systems face increasing difficulties in fulfilling these requirements. In particular, the efficient provision of reliable group communication services in ATM-Networks remains a major unresolved issue. This paper presents a novel framework for Adaptation Layer error control mechanisms. Two adaptation layer protocols are presented that provide reliable multicast services. The first one, called RLMCP (Reliable Lightweight Multicast Protocol), is a simple and efficient adaptation layer protocol for the Service Specific Convergence Sublayer of AAL5. It uses a frame-based ARQ-scheme and is suitable for virtual connections with low cell loss rates. The second one, called RMC-AAL (Reliable Multicast ATM Adaptation Layer), features cell-based ARQ in combination with FEC. The framework permits to select the combination of error control mechanisms most suitable for the application requirements in a specific communication scenario. The achievable performance is analysed, identifying the influence of group size, cell loss rate and path capacity on throughput and delay. Guidelines are presented for selection of the error control scheme most appropriate for a specific communication scenario. 1