Charging considerations for Virtual Private DiffServ Networks

Abstract

Temporary networks, i.e. virtual private networks (VPNs), founding on Internet technologies are basically fueled by either a congestion control or a Quality-of-Service (QoS) provisioning approach. The denominator of both ap- proaches is the inevitable need for pricing mechanisms, due to cost recovery and system protection. The differentiated services (DiffServ) framework allows to built up scalable and QoS reliable VPNs. The pricing scheme for virtual private DiÿServ net- works requires to be flexible, simple, understandable and thus enjoy the acceptance of the customers. On the base of investigations on actual pricing models an adaptive at rate pricing scheme is presented, which suits well for VPNs built on DiffServ.