Adaptable Bandwidth Allocation for QoS Support in Network Processors

Publisher Summary Bandwidth allocation technology (BAT) is an important feature of the IBM PowerNP. It endows networks with predictable bandwidth allocation, thus increasing the value of other, much more complex services. It carries the potential of automation and simplification of quality of service (QoS) capabilities. It is possible to provide network QoS without BAT or any other intelligent flow control, that is, merely by overbuilding all network components. However, some low-bandwidth flows are disproportionately valuable, and if any congestion can result in some loss or delay for any flows, then low-bandwidth Premium customers can be disappointed. Security issues are of increasing importance. It is vital to protect essential network services in the face of fast-spreading worms. An adaptable bandwidth allocation scheme with minimum and maximum per class might save essential services in the presence of malicious attacks.