Evaluating buffer-constrained routers under bursty and shaped traffic

We consider traffic models for the evaluation of buffer-constrained routers, such as routers with all-optical data paths. We show that conventional models may substantially underestimate the packet loss behavior. We propose an alternative method based on the multi-fractal wavelet model (MWM). Using this new model, we show that routers are susceptible to high losses under bursty Internet traffic conditions. However, if traffic can be shaped into a deterministic arrival stream, then large-scale buffer-constrained routers are possible within backbone networks.