Multi-User Allocation and Pricing Techniques

As described in chapter 1, computer networks must contend with a diverse variety of network applications. Given a finite supply of network resources and ever changing demands, networks need to allocate resources in a fair and efficient manner to provide the QoS these applications require. Different from single-user allocation (chapters 2 and 3), this chapter concerns the allocation of resources to all users in the network. Objectives in the multi-user environment include efficient and fair allocation of network resources. This chapter reviews and categorizes various multi-user allocation methods. Since this thesis concerns microeconomic approaches to multi-user resource allocation, a brief discussion of basic microeconomic principles is also provided. This is followed by a review of previous microeconomic-based allocation work. Finally, multi-user allocation performance objectives are presented and discussed.