Analysis of performance metrics for GIG voice and video service classes

The Global Information Grid (GIG) is evolving into a converged Internet Protocol (IP) network that will ultimately carry all types of traffic, including voice, video and data. In order for the GIG networks to provide a consistent, IP-based, real-time traffic transport service in accordance with a defined set of performance targets, a single set of enterprise-wide metrics must be specified. The goal of this paper is to analyze the various performance metrics and measurement techniques that have been proposed by the industry standards bodies and fora, including International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Communications Futures Program (CFP) Forum and Department of Defense (DoD) Real-Time Services (RTS) Working Group (WG) to support the development of performance metrics and associated objectives required for the GIG voice and video service classes and document them in the GIG Net-Centric Implementation Document (NCID). To this end, a scenario-driven approach is utilized in which we present a set of four network connectivity scenarios that encompass varying connections across backbone, fixed edge and tactical networks. The results of the analysis include a recommended set of performance metrics, measurement techniques and objectives for the voice and video communications in the GIG.