The dynamic 3-tier protocol: an access remedial scheme to control unfairness in DQDB MANs

Abstract

This paper addresses the unfairness problems of a DQDB network through an structured access remedial scheme, viz., the dynamic 3-tier protocol. At low load domains, the original DQDB protocol performance is retained. At heavy loads, a dynamic bandwidth control mechanism, named Alpha Tuning Mechanism, is activated. With the right choice of the /spl alpha/-parameter, it is possible to match the service pattern (in terms of channel bandwidth) offered by the access protocol with the actual demand (or traffic) pattern in the network. At low load domains an anticipatory demand function (/spl Delta/) addresses latency related unfairness. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.<>