Policy Creation Model for Policy Based Bandwidth Management In the Core Network (A Case Study Of Abu Data Network)

Abstract

Bandwidth management and optimization are very critical to any organization especially universities and research organizations. This work is aimed at the development of a policy- based bandwidth scheme for ABU Zaria (as a case study). ABU Zaria currently has a fibre-based STM-1 links leased from Glo – I, thus providing the university with a full duplex bandwidth of 155Mbps. The university has a student – staff population of about 40000 currently and a fibre ring back-bone network linking the three campuses at Samaru, Shika and Kongo. The work involved collection and analysis of traffic data over a 90-day period using Packet Sniffer, for the development of the policy- based strategies for bandwidth optimization. Simulation of the effect of the policies on a segment of the network was carried out using the GNS3 and validation of results of the simulation was done on a small network. The results showed as improvement in bandwidth utilization from 3.9Mbps to 2.9Mbps thus saving 1.0Mbps in bandwidth when the developed policies were implemented. This is an indication that when implemented on the live network there will be better management of the bandwidth.