Real-Time VirtualClock: a new network traffic control mechanism for real-time communications

A new traffic control discipline is needed for real-time communications: it should generate proper packet orderings and schedule packet transmissions to meet both minimum and maximum delay bounds. Real-time flows must be protected from flows of misbehaved users and from network load fluctuations. Current network traffic mechanisms do not provide both protections. The Real-Time VirtualClock (RTVC) algorithm is designed for real-time communications in high-speed packet-switched wide-area networks. RTVC provides a guaranteed real-time service meeting both delay bounds, and it supports bursty flows based on peak rates without causing serious disturbances to continuous flows. Simulation is used to validate RTVC and to compare with current packet scheduling mechanisms. The simulation results confirm that RTVC provides stable network performance under a variety of traffic conditions