Throughput performance of the ER switch algorithms in large scale ATM networks

A number of algorithms of the ER (explicit rate) switch for ABR service in ATM networks has been proposed. The main objectives of these algorithms are to avoid cell loss and to utilise the unused bandwidth, which is used by ABR traffic, left over by CBR and VBR traffic. In this paper, we have shown some significant limitations of some proposed algorithms when operated in large scale ATM networks where the number of switches is large. They may operate inefficiently; fail to utilise the unused bandwidth even in a simple scenario. We conclude that it is necessary to have additional mechanisms to co-operate with the proposed algorithms.