Design and analysis of a merging algorithm for multipoint-to-point ABR service in ATM networks

In this paper, we propose a merging algorithm, which can provide efficient support for multipoint-to-point ABR service in ATM networks. By forwarding the FRM cells belonging to the VC with the largest FRM-cell arrival rate in a merge point, the proposed algorithm can achieve better link utilization than existing merging algorithms. In addition, the proposed algorithm reduces the number of FRM cells forwarded by a merge point. As a result, it can reduce the control overhead of ABR service. Most importantly, it does not incur extra complexity in switches. We also discuss the impact of different network topologies on our algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is able to achieve better performance while requiring significantly fewer RM cells.