A Network Dimensioning Framework for QoS-guaranteed IP Networks

This article discusses a network planning method in a QoS-enabled IP network such as Broadband convergence Network (BcN). Since IP based networks have been developed to transport best-effort data traffic, the introduction of multi-service component in BcN requires fundamental modifications in capacity planning or network dimensioning. In this article, we present the key issues of the capacity planning in multi-service IP networks. To provide a foundation for network dimensioning procedure, we describe a systematic approach for classification and modeling of BcN traffic based on the QoS requirements of BcN services. We propose a network planning framework considering best-effort data traffic and real-time streaming traffic separately. The multi-service loss model, an extension of the conventional Erlang-B loss model, is introduced to determine required link capacity for the call-based streaming traffic. The application of multi-service loss model can provide significant improvement in network planning due to sharing of network bandwidth among different services.