Enabling QoS adaptation decisions for Internet applications

We present a network model that allows processing of QoS (quality of service) information about media flows to enable applications to make adaptation decisions. Our model is based around a multi-dimensional spatial representation that allows QoS information describing the flow constructions and QoS parameters - flow-states - to interact with a representation of the network QoS. The model produces reports about the compatibility between the flow-states and the network QoS, indicating which flow-states the network can currently support. The simple nature of the reports allows the application to make decisions, dynamically, on which flow-state it should use. The model is relatively lightweight and scaleable. We demonstrate the use of the model by simulation of a dynamically adaptive audio tool. Our work is ongoing.