Network Monitoring as a Key to the Success of Traffic Engineering Techniques

In this paper we propose a model for measurementbased network configuration. In the model, resource allocation is based on provisioning cycles, whereby monitoring is used to build a matrix with expected traffic patterns. Such a matrix drives the subsequent network configuration phase, which is performed via a hybrid Traffic Engineering approach, combining both off-line and on-line algorithms. Furthermore, a policy-based strategy is suggested in order to enforce configuration onto network devices. The paper aims at demonstrating how measurement-based management of networks represents a good example of crossfertilization between two distinct research areas in the networking community: monitoring on one side and traffic engineering on the other.