IPv6 end-to-end QoS provision for heterogeneous networks using flow label

IPv6 has gained its common sense as a fundamental IP instruction for the next generation network with larger address space with better QoS (Quality of Service) service. The IPv6 FL (flow label) is a function that, as it was designed, can be a big help in alleviating QoS problem from flow level treatment. However, the original design of FL can easily induce scalability problem and it has not been used yet. In this paper, we make a first step to investigate FL as a network layer QoS mechanism for heterogeneous network. Our proposed end-to-end QoS solution can get rid of scalability problem, while keeping the ability of flow-based QoS treatment. The main contribution of this paper is threefold: First, we attempt to provide an analysis of FL-related definitions, and subsequently propose a modified IPv6 FL specification, with which IPv6 can have get the underlying feature of powerful QoS management ability like ATM, but keep the simplicity of native IP. Second, we propose a FL-QCM (FL-based QoS class mapping) method for heterogeneous network. FL-QCM is a novel way to deal with QoS class mapping for inter-domain QoS guarantee and is more flexible and scalable for future use. Third, the detailed FL generation, maintenance mechanism has been proposed for inter-domain solution. Our proposed model has been implemented in OPNET and it can get better QoS performance than existing technology.