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Integrated Services

A QoS architecture that reserves end-to-end network resources for specific traffic flows before data is sent.

AbbreviationIntServ
Categorynetwork

Overview

IntServ (standardized in RFC 1633) uses the RSVP (Resource Reservation Protocol) to request a specific amount of bandwidth and latency from every router along a path.

Characteristics

  • Hard Guarantees: Provides strict assurance of service quality.
  • Flow-Based: Manages individual communication streams.

Limitations

  • Scalability: Routers must maintain state for every individual flow, making it unsuitable for the core of the internet.
  • Complexity: Requires every router in the path to support RSVP.

Related Terms

Differentiated Services