Bandwidth problems in high-speed networks

High-speed networks are capable of carrying many types of services such as voice, data, images, and video. These services have different requirements in terms of bandwidth, cell loss, delay, etc. The goal is to maximize the quality of service offered during periods of stress, as Viewed by both the network provider and the customer. Many problems are created by these different requirements. This paper illustrates four bandwidth problems in highspeed networks, then describes several solutions to them. The first problem is topology design and bandwidth allocation, and it is concerned with the ability to dynamically reconfigure a network in order to efficiently benefit from network resources. The second problem is concerned with flow control and congestion avoidance. Bandwidth management (BWM) protocols are used to prevent congestion, essentially by accepting or refusing a new-arrival cell. The third problem, which is the most critical one, is bandwidth allocation, which is concerned with successful integration of link capacities through the different types of services. Given that a virtual path is a logical direct link, composed of a number of virtual circuits, between any two nodes, the last problem is concerned with how to assign bandwidth to each virtual path in the network, in order to optimize performance for all users. This paper may be a good guide to researchers concerned with high-speed networks in general.