Client requirements for real-time communication services

A set of performance specifications that seem appropriate for real-time computer communication services is proposed. They include various types of delay bounds, throughput bounds, and reliability bounds. Other requirements and desirable properties are described from a client´s viewpoint, and the ways in which each requirement is to be translated to make it suitable for lower levels in the protocol hierarchy are examined. Some examples of requirements specification are presented, and possible objections to the approach are discussed.<>