A New Perspective for a Global QoS-based Internet

Several Quality of Service (QoS) architectures and mechanisms have been proposed by standardisation bodies.However, those proposals were not always aligned with the spirit of IP networks. Furthermore, most research activities have focused to date on supporting QoS only within a singleadministrative domain. In this paper, we demonstrate that it is possible to provision QoS-enabled services that maintain the ability to easily connect any pair of users worldwide. For this purpose, we introduce the notion of Meta-QoS-Class and demonstrate its relevance for building QoS-enabled services across multiple domains. We then show how a QoS-enhanced Border Gateway Protocol (q-BGP) can be used together with Meta-QoS-Classes, for building a set of parallel Internet planes with different QoS capabilities. This concept opens up a new perspective for a global QoS-based Internet

Simulation and analysis of network traffic for efficient and reliable information transfer

With the growing commercial importance of the Internet and the development of new real-time, connection-oriented services like IP-telephony and electronic commerce resilience is becoming a key issue in the design of TP-based networks. Two emerging technologies, which can accomplish the task of efficient information transfer, are Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Differentiated Services. A main benefit of MPLS is the ability to introduce traffic-engineering concepts due to its connection-oriented characteristic. With MPLS it is possible to assign different paths for packets through the network. Differentiated services divides traffic into different classes and treat them differently, especially when there is a shortage of network resources. In this thesis, a framework was proposed to integrate the above two technologies and its performance in providing load balancing and improving QoS was evaluated. Simulation and analysis of this framework demonstrated that the combination of MPLS and Differentiated services is a powerful tool for QoS provisioning in IP networks

Independent power projects in Africa : balancing development and investment outcomes

Includes bibliographic references.In the early 1990s, a new model emerged for the provision of electricity generation across developing regions. The model involved private sector participation in the form of independent power projects (IPP). Driving this change in business was insufficient public finance from host country governments, a reduction in concessionary loans from multilateral and bilateral development institutions, and a push for improved efficiency in a state-owned utility sector that was considered to be underperforming. This dissertation reviews how IPPs developed across both North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis focuses on the extent to which positive development outcomes (viz. reliable and affordable power) and investment outcomes (viz. favourable investment returns and the opportunity to grow investments) were both achieved. The dissertation posits that balancing development and investment outcomes leads to greater sustainability for projects. It further explores a range of elements that contribute to the success of projects, namely: the investment climate; policy, regulatory and planning frameworks; competitive procurement practices; availability of competitively procured fuel; favourable debt and equity arrangements, including new trends in the nature of IPP firms and credit enhancement arrangements; and new risk management techniques. In-depth case studies of IPP experiences in Egypt, Kenya and Tanzania are used to explore the question of balancing outcomes and sustainability. Reviews of IPP experiences in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia also supplement the analysis together with an evaluation of the foreign direct investment context and related theory. Framing the whole discussion is an examination of how the new model for electric power provision evolved and how power sector reform models need to be adjusted to better reflect the reality in developing countries and emerging economies