One Approach to Improve Bandwidth Allocation Fairness in IP/MPLS Networks Using Adaptive Treatment of the Traffic Demands

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for adaptation layer in order to improve fairness in bandwidth allocation among different traffic classes in IP/MPLS networks under heavy traffic load. We propose a definition of the blocking frequency of traffic flows at the entry of autonomous network domain and proportional-priority coefficient per traffic class and use them as the input parameters of the adaptation mechanism. In order to evaluate the validity of the proposed algorithm, we need proper simulation tools and for that purposes we extend OPNET Modeler 14.5 with the modules for adaptation process. We also propose a development methodology for the design of modules for adaptation process within network simulators. The simulations results give us the proof of our hypothesis that with a proper adaptation layer we can improve the fairness of bandwidth allocation among different traffic classes under heavy network load and at the same time keep the required QoS conditions in the preferred boundaries.