A practical assessment of network orientated load control for the intelligent network

The purpose of this thesis is to assess a new method of controlling load in Intelligent Networks (INs). This will be done through the analysis of experimentation results and comparison with existing methods of IN load control. This exercise will result in the investigation and validation of the proposed benefits being offered by this new methodology and the unveiling of its disadvantages. The methodology is known as network-orientated load control for the IN. Network-orientated load control is demonstrated using the MARINER Service Traffic Load Control System developed by the European Commission’s Advanced Communication, Technologies and Services (ACTS) Multi-Agent Architecture for Distributed Intelligent Network Load Control and Overload Protection (MARINER) Project. This system is shown to be a network-orientated load control application operating at the service level, built specifically for Intelligent Networks. Network-orientated load control is then assessed by deploying the MARINER System on a model of the IN, and running an exhaustive series of experiments. These experiments are structured to test the proposed benefits, limitations and disadvantages of networkorientated load control. The conclusions drawn from the results of these trials are then compared with existing IN load control characteristics, and used to make an assessment of network-orientated load control for the Intelligent Network