Internet QoS: a big picture

We present a framework for the emerging Internet quality of service (QoS). All the important components of this framework-integrated services, RSVP, differentiated services, multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), and constraint-based routing-are covered. We describe what integrated services and differentiated services are, how they can be implemented, and the problems they have. We then describe why MPLS and constraint-based routing have been introduced into this framework, how they differ from and relate to each other, and where they fit into the differentiated services architecture. Two likely service architectures are presented, and the end-to-end service deliveries in these two architectures are illustrated. We also compare ATM networks to router networks with differentiated services and MPLS. Putting all these together, we give the readers a grasp of the big picture of the emerging Internet QoS.