Motivation

Packet forwarding and DPI (deep packet inspection) are essential for multi-service delivery in packet-based networks and NGN environment. It is particularly true when handling multi-service (e.g. IPTV/VoIP) traffic because these applications have strict requirements on jitter, delay and packet loss rate. The functionalities of DPI and packet forwarding enhancement can properly identify different type of traffic so as to provide performance guarantees to allow for time-sensitive applications.

This Question is intended to study the functionalities of deep packet inspection and multi-service (e.g. IPTV/VoIP) aware identification, lookup, filtering, forwarding and queuing, multi-service multicast and associated MIBs (management information base) in packet-based networks and NGN environment. It addresses how to make use of these existing bandwidth resources effectively to provide guarantees for multi-service especially time-sensitive, loss-sensitive real-time audio/video data delivery, how to use the control mechanism provided by the current packet-based networks and NGN architecture.

Question

This Question develops Recommendations with respect to requirements, architectures, mechanisms and functionalities for packet forwarding and deep packet inspection for multiple services in packet-based networks and NGN environment. The related protocols are not within the scope of the question. The associated work will be handled and progressed in co-operation with other relevant study groups, the IETF, IEEE 802 etc. Study items to be considered include, but are not limited to:

• The functionalities of DPI and packet forwarding enhancement. This includes study on flexible and effective DPI mechanisms that allows network devices to look at the packet header and payload in packet-based network and NGN environment.
• Multi-service (e.g. IPTV/VoIP) aware identification. This includes the identification filtering, forwarding, classification of the traffic based in a rule database that includes information extracted for the packet header and payload in packet based network and NGN environment.
• Node-level forwarding and queuing. This includes ingress lookup, filtering, queuing, metering, priority remark, and delay-aware queue scheduling algorithms. It should guarantee the bandwidth for identified audio and video services from the control mechanism provided by the current packet-based networks and NGN architecture.
• Multi-service multicast aspects including multi-service multicast scenarios in NGN environment and optimized multicast mechanisms for video and audio services.
• Associated MIBs including definitions on low-level management objects.
• What enhancements to existing Recommendations are required to provide energy savings directly or indirectly in information and communication technologies (ICTs) or in other industries? What enhancements to developing or new Recommendations are required to provide such energy savings?

Tasks

• Develop new Recommendations according to the items under study.

Relationships

Recommendations: None

Questions: All NGN and QoS related Questions

Study groups: All NGN and QoS related study groups

Standardization bodies, forums and consortia: IEEE 802 Committee, IETF