Abstract

In addition to their capability to offer high transfer rates, flexible resource allocation is also a key feature of broadband networks. The use of efficient resource allocation schemes enables network and service providers to acquire adequate control power over the infrastructure and the provided services on one hand, and on the other hand to become more competitive by offering attractive incentives regarding cost and quality to the end-users. In this paper, we study a resource allocation scheme based on dynamic scaling of applications. In order to be adjusted by the network, the end-user applications should be subscribed to the Dynamic Scaling Service (DSS) which adjusts the quality and traffic levels at which they operate. Two perspectives are taken into consideration, the service/network provider's point of view focused on efficient resource utilisation and revenue increase, and the end-user's point of view focused on cost efficiency and acceptable QoS. The proposed scheme is evaluated and verified by means of a simulation study. It is found that through adequate tuning, with respect to a given user and traffic model, DSS can beneficially affect both the revenue and the call blocking probability.

Author Keywords: QoS; Application; Management; B-ISDN; Scalability

Index Terms: Resource allocation; Broadband networks; Voice/data communication systems; Management information systems; Telecommunication traffic; Computer simulation; Probability; Telecommunication services; Numerical methods; Call blocking probability; Dynamic scaling service