Moderating traffic flow over conventional ATM service

In unspecified bit rate (UBR) service provided by ATM networks, users send cells into networks with no feedback; no guarantee cells may be dropped during congestion. This paper describes a congestion control scheme using active network technology to avoid congestion in a conventional ATM network. The Ants routing algorithm for congestion control associated with active networks is implemented. The routing algorithm uses information that is monitored and revised according to the congestion status of output ports and sends commands to other switching elements. The active switching elements share information about traffic levels of the interconnection network and reciprocate customized programs for rerouting cells in the presence of congestion at a switching element's output ports. As a result, it is possible to build an active switching network that can avoid congestion in a conventional ATM network.