Real-time Services over Packet Switching Networks

1998 2 To Marceline 4 Acknowledgements Many dear people have either deeply aaected my way through these last years of studies, or actively helped in my research work (some of them did both); I would like to thank them. First of all, I would like to thank my parents who have always supported and encouraged me, even in my decision to spend time abroad-a decision that certainly weighted on them. I am deeply grateful to my Ph.D. advisors Silvano and Yoram for having helped and supported me throughout the last years with ad vices that went well beyond my project. A special thank goes to Prof. Fabio Neri who introduced me to Dr. Yoram Ofek, thus strongly impacting my research activity. I would also like to thank Letizia Jaccheri for having given me a rst insight into the meaning of research and Gian Pietro Picco for having shown me a lot about research. I also need to thank Prof. Marco Ajmone Marsan, who included me in a great research group, which I enjoyed a lot. I want to thank Davide, Fulvio, and Dante with whom I work daily, and all the people who contributed to the results of my research, either reported or not in this dissertation: Finally, I would like to thank especially Marceline Sa bou who helped me signiicantly during the last year; she has also been a \wonderful" English teacher.