The main objective of the Celtic TRAMMS project was to model traffic in multi-service IP networks, and to develop tools for monitoring of QoS and bottlenecks in networks. The models are built upon data acquired in different parts of Europe and combined with the new tools developed in the project, they bring significant new insight into network traffic, bottleneck analysis, user behaviour and QoS monitoring.

Main focus

The idea behind the concept of a converged infrastructure is that a single network should support (in principle) all applications. It will have to carry traffic from different terminals and a great variety of applications. Traditionally, lack of knowledge regarding traffic patterns in multiservice IP networks has been compensated by massive over-provisioning of resources in order to decrease the likelihood of QoS violations. Understanding the user traffic patterns and how they aggregate on different levels will imply a competitive advantage when deploying broadband networks and applications since the investment costs will be lower. The main focus in TRAMMS has been to increase the knowledge of traffic patterns and possibilities for traffic management and QoS monitoring of IP networks. This has been realized through development of low cost tools for analyzing e.g. QoS parameters, available bandwidth on end-toend links, routing events, as well as using available state-of-the art deep packet inspection devices to analyse actual traffic in live access networks.

Approach

A unique feature of the TRAMMS project has been the combination of hardware and software development and theoretical analysis. In this way, the project has contributed to development of new advanced and low cost tools for bottleneck analysis at the same time as it has contributed to an increased insight into user behaviour in IP access networks in Europe. The databases with traffic data built up within the project are unique, since access to this kind of data is very rare and usually limited to the operators. The data collection and analysis effort that was carried out in the project is believed to further advance the European position in the forming of the future Internet.