A Methodological Approach for Multi-Service DSTE Network Performance Evaluation under Bandwidth Allocation Methods and Path Selection Constraints

Path selection and bandwidth management have a number of different routing protocols (CSPF, OSPF, other), bandwidth allocation models (BAMs) and overall implementation approaches like RDM (Russian Doll Model) , Adapt-RDM, GRDM (Generalized Russian Dolls Model) and AllocTC-sharing that can be used in the context of a multiservice DS-TE (DiffServ Aware - MPLS Traffic Engineering) network.  This paper initially identifies the path selection and bandwidth allocation model (BAM) solutions currently used. Subsequently, it proposes a generic performance evaluation methodology in order to deal with the modeling and implementation scenarios resulting from different routing protocols and BAM options available. The focus adopted is, fundamentally, to provide managers with a methodological approach consisting of a set of steps that can be used to deal with the issues such as network configuration and performance evaluation in the context of multi-service DS-TE networks under BAM constraints. It is expected that the proposed methodological approach could reduce the inherent difficulties found by managers in dealing with BAM model application in multi-service DS-TE networks.