A Prototype Implementation of the Two-Tier Architecture for Differentiated Services

Abstract

We present here a partial prototype implementation of the Two-Tier architecture for resource allocation in Differentiated Services networks, first presented in [ROTZY98]. Specifically, we have implemented the low level forwarding path support for providing different levels of network services. The allocation of resources is managed by the Bandwidth Broker. Our Bandwidth Broker implementation contains a policy database which stores information about flows requiring increased network service, and the Bandwidth Broker configures routers forwarding parameters in the domain accordingly. This policy database can be accessed and updated through a web interface. Our preliminary experimental results show that this twotier architecture can allocate network level resources according to administrative policies and provide high quality of network service to specific flows effectively. Our implementation is part of Qbone effort under Internet2 initiative, a testbed for IP quality of service technologies.