SCTP-based service migration for VOD service

Numerous services have been proposed, developed and deployed as the Internet got popularized. Among others, Video-On-Demand (VOD) service has received considerable attention due to its role as a new media. As mobile IP technology getting mature, users can have access to the Internet anywhere, anytime, and on the move. However, the Quality of Service (QoS) will degrade as a mobile client moves farther away from its server. This article pioneers the concept of Service Migration, with which an ongoing service will be migrated from a distant server to a new proximity server. Both individual user and the whole network environment will benefit from service migration. Service migration can be implemented at different protocol layers. This paper reports our experience in the design and implement of SCTP-based service migration. Featuring multistreaming and multi-homing, Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) is an excellent candidate for the implement of service migration. With SCTP, seamless service migration can be achieved as reported in this study.