RSVP Support for MBONE Applications

  o  Modified popular MBONE applications VAT, NV and SD to manage 
     resource reservations using RSVP.

  o  Two different approaches:

     -  NV:

          RSVP support added to the NV source code.

          Direct invocation of an RSVP API library (C function calls).

     -  SD, VAT:

          RSVP invoked through a helper program.

          (Some part of) the application tells the helper what to do.

          Several interaction modes.  Building block tool.

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Profile Files

  o  Our RSVP-aware applications currently obtain flowspec information
     from a profile file.

  o  This is, generally speaking, nonsense.

  o  Profile file:

     -  service identifier:

          <application_name>_<medium> or <medium>

          "vat_pom"  "pom"

     -  flow specifier:

          <service_spec>{parameters ...}

          "G {64000   8000   -1   -1}

     -  comment lines

          # <any text>

========

NV

  o  Customized interface specific to NV.

  o  Flow parameters taken from a profile file.

  o  Dynamic filter reservation style.

  o  GUI elements:

     -  Stream count selector.

          Allows user to set number of streams in DF set.

     -  Checkbox on each NV full-size video window.

          Requests DF reservation for sender when checked.

          Inactive if no PATH mags received from sender.

  o  RSVP not currently coupled to NV bandwidth control...

Implemented in NV 3.3alpha.  Originally coded by Ron Frederick (Xerox
PARC).  Minor changes and updates at MIT.

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The RSVP Program

  o  "Helper Program" which acts as an agent for the application.

  o  Simplifies addition of RSVP support to many applications.

  o  Three modes of operation (one unimplemented at present) meet a 
     wide range of needs.

  o  Implemented in C and TCL (with TK).

RSVP program and supporting TCL scripts implemented by Bobby Minnear
(MIT LCS).  

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RSVP Program - Master Mode

  o  RSVP program wrapped around application.

  o  Simple wildcard reservation established for application.

  o  No further control of RSVP after application starts.

  o  No application interface to RSVP.

rsvp -rsvp <destIP> <destPort> <profile> -cmd <cmd_and_args>

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RSVP Program - Slave Mode

  o  RSVP program controlled by application.

  o  All reservation styles are available.

  o  RSVP operations may occur at any time.

  o  GUI protocol control interface supplied by RSVP program.

  o  Application and RSVP program communicate using TCL/TK "send"
     commands.

rsvp -cntl <masterName> <destIP> <destPort> ttl <srcIP> <srcPort> <profile>

========

Slave Mode Commands

  o  Slave mode supports two TCL commands directly.  These commands 
     will generally be sent by an application acting as master.

     -  raise_rsvp_cntl

          make the RSVP control window visible on the user's screen.

     -  change_send_resv <profile>

          change the sender flowspec to that given by <profile>.

  o  All other protocol interactions are through windows managed by
     the RSVP program.

========

Slave Mode Interface

  o  RSVP Slave Mode manages a generic GUI for reservation control.

  o  Application program expected to

     -  Start RSVP program as a subprocess.

     -  Communicate through TCL when required.

     -  Kill RSVP program before exiting.

  o  RSVP program gets sender list from protocol PATH messages -
     override feature provided.

  o  Example to follow: VAT.

========

RSVP Program - Interactive Mode

  o  RSVP program controlled by application.

  o  All reservation styles are available.

  o  RSVP operations may occur at any time.

  o  Protocol control interface supplied by application program -
     customized to application.

  o  Application and RSVP program communicate using TCL/TK "send"
     commands.

rsvp -intr <masterName> <destIP> <destPort> ttl <srcIP> <srcPort> <profile>

========

Interactive Mode Commands

  o  Interactive mode provides low-level TCL commands which perform
     RSVP protocol operations.

  o  Essentially a TCL RSVP API.

  o  Used by TK-based applications which wish to construct their own user
     interface.

  o  Example commands:

     -  set_wildcard_reservation

     -  set_FF_reservation <src_list>

     -  kill_reservations

     -  list_senders

  o  Etc.

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Examples

  o  SD

     -  Minimal functionality, extremely generic.

     -  Uses master mode.

     -  Modified SD TCL script runs RSVP program with appropriate
        profile (constructed from session info).

     -  RSVP creates reservation, runs application.

     -  Sender address/port is obtained through remarkable kludge.

  o  VAT

     -  Gives VAT good RSVP capabilities.

     -  Uses slave mode - simple to implement.

     -  RSVP functions accessed from main VAT window.

     -  Some rough edges remaining:

          Sender list display.

          VAT-RSVP coupling - audio formats, sitebox control.

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The Last Slide

  o  RSVP support added to several popular MBONE applications.

  o  "RSVP" helper program simplifies this task.

  o  RSVP program + documentation + modified applications publically
     available in upcoming RSVP release.