Virtual channel management in ATM networks

This paper introduces a VC management scheme to be used in switch-routers (SRs), which are switches capable of using VCs to route IP traffic. Using the fact that VCs can be re-used by subsequent flows before signalling closes it, we determine the VC pool size (i.e., the number of VCs to keep open locally). In the static VC pool scheme, N_max VCs are opened at, boot time after which no more VCs are opened or closed. We show how to find N_max and the optimal cost. In the dynamic case, we propose that blocks of VCs be added and removed from the pool demand. We derive closed-form solutions for the size of the blocks and show how to compute the (minimum) total cost. A Markov model is presented for both when signalling is instantaneous and when it takes constant time. Simulation results validate our model