Architecture for dynamic and fair distribution of bandwidth

The problem of fair distribution of available bandwidth among traffic flows or aggregates remains an essential issue in computer networks. This paper introduces a novel approach, called the Exact Bandwidth Distribution Scheme (X-BDS), for dynamic and fair distribution of available bandwidth among individual flows. In this approach, the edge routers keep per-flow information, while the core routers maintain the aggregate flow requirements. The XBDS approach employs a distributed message exchange protocol for providing network feedback and for distributing aggregate flow requirements among the nodes in the network. Based on the obtained feedback, the edge routers employ the X-BDS resource management unit to dynamically distribute available bandwidth among individual flows. The X-BDS admission control and resource management units are responsible for fair resource allocation that supports minimum bandwidth guarantees of individual flows. This paper evaluates the Bandwidth Distribution Scheme through simulation and shows that the X-BDS is capable of supporting per-flow bandwidth guarantees in a dynamically changing network environment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.