Ultra-High-Speed Optical Data Packet Switching

75544-Contemporary high performance data networks, such as those in the DOE science environment, carry a wide range of multimedia data services which require outstanding Quality of Service (QoS) tools to provide performance guarantees. With the advent of Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network standards, QoS performance has been making significant progresses. However, attention has turned to the task of managing these QoS networks more efficiently through the handling of network traffic. Current solutions focus primarily on the task of passive corrective traffic management, with little attention paid to active preventive network traffic management; that is, today¿s networks are statically planned, and do not respond well to frequent dynamic changes in traffic levels. In addition, no network management tool provides network traffic forecasting nor offers preventive network management. To address these problems, this project will develop an innovative Traffic Forecasting Assisted QoS Planner for active network traffic management. By the end of Phase II, a prototype of the full scale technology will have been developed for effective real-time predictive traffic management within MPLS-enabled networks. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to the application for DOE scientific computing networks, the Traffic Forecasting Assisted QoS Planner should lead to a number of products with strong performance and cost advantages: (1) a modular compact system for QoS management in military mission-critical networks, (2) custom modules for carrier class management of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and Video over IP, and (3) a family of low-cost modules for QoS bandwidth management in enterprise networks.