A traffic engineering approach: To improve QoS routing on IP networks using MPLS technology. Performance study: Internet-based distance learning (I-DL)

Internet architecture has evolved over time, adapting to the needs of its users and incorporating new technology as it has been developed. The introduction of Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) as a part of the Internet forwarding architecture has had immediate application in traffic engineering (TE) and Quality of Service Routing (QoSR). One such critical mission application is Internet-Based Distance Learning or I-DL. It is feasible to use the TE and QoSR approach to develop a performance service model for I-DL, in order to make the best use of the network infrastructure and resources, and to use the explicit routing feature offered by MPLS to facilitate it.; The difficulty with this approach lies in the complexity of mapping between two distinct architectures, requiring definition and maintenance of separate topologies, address spaces, routing and signaling protocols, and resource allocation schemes.; All multilayer switching solutions, including MPLS, are composed of a control component and a forwarding component; the performance of a network application is dependent on the state of the network, the state of the systems supporting the application, and the protocol used to support the application's data transfer.; This dissertation addresses many of the shortcomings associated with current IP routing schemes by using Multi-Protocol Label Switching. One of the most important uses for MPLS is traffic engineering for IP networks, to allow traffic to use multiple paths, rather than the single optimal path used by conventional routing-based networks. Statistical models were used to generate topology and traffic that closely mimics the observed behavior on live Internet links. The generated topology and traffic were simulated using OPNET. The results of this study indicates that future development of Multi-Protocol Label Switching will increase the Internet capacity for diverse, mixed priority traffic, without the cost of lost packets, interrupted service and other ramifications associated with poor TE and low QoSR.