Dynamic bandwidth management and adaptive applications for a variable bandwidth wireless environment

This article describes an approach for providing dynamic quality of service (QoS) support in a variable bandwidth network, which may include wireless links and mobile nodes. The dynamic QoS approach centers on the notion of p roviding QoS support at some point within a range requested by applications . To utilize dynamic QoS, applications must be capable of adapting to the l evel of QoS provided by the network, which may vary during the course of a connection. To demonstrate and evaluate the dynamic QoS concept, we have im plemented a new protocol called dynamic resource reservation protocol (dRSV P) and a new QoS application program interface (API). The paper describes t his new protocol and API and also briefly discusses our experience with ada ptive streaming video and audio applications that work with the new protoco l in a testbed network, including wireless local area network connectivity and wireless link connectivity emulated over wired ethernet. Qualitative an d quantitative assessments of the dynamic RSVP protocol are provided.