Many approaches to resource allocation
in multimedia networks and end-systems assume the behaviour of users
is known. This method of analysis is flawed, however, since the
behaviour of multimedia traffic is poorly understood, applications
change rapidly, and behaviour can change drastically under user
control.
The Measure Project is a 3 year effort commencing in October 1995
which will examine the technique of on-line measurement, rather than
modelling, to provide information to resource management systems.
The technique will be applied to three distinct but related domains:
- Public ATM networks (based at Telia Research)
- Local area ATM networks (based on Fairisle
at Cambridge)
- The operating system in end-user computers (based on operating
systems developed as part of Pegasus in
Cambridge)
The goal is to develop measurement techniques and show their
utility. We also hope to use the technique to unify resource
management across the three domains.
The work is based on the theory of Large Deviation Theory, which is
introduced in this tutorial. This approach has a
direct analogy with measurement of the thermodynamic entropy of a gas
to determine its bulk properties. The Entropic project is using theory
developed by this project. Some information about Measure and Entropic
can be found on the Glasgow Server.
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