Integrating resource control and performance management in multimedia networks

A principal requirement for multimedia networks is the ability to allocate resources to network services with different quality-of-service demands. The objectives of achieving efficient resource utilization, providing quality-of-service guarantees, and adapting to changes in traffic statistics make resource control and performance management for multimedia networks a difficult task. In this paper, we clarify the respective role of the real-time control system, the performance management system, and the network operator, and describe their interactions aimed at achieving performance management objectives. Following this framework, we introduce an approach for integrated resource control and performance management. It combines the L-E model, a generic system-level abstraction of a resource control task, and the concept of controlling the network performance by tuning the resource control tasks in the traffic control system. An example shows how the communication resources of a multimedia network can be managed. Applying our framework, we describe the mechanisms involved, the control interface between the real-time control and the management systems, and the visual abstractions for the network operator.