Group based traffic shaping for adaptive HTTP video streaming by segment duration control

Adaptive video streaming is based on the concept of allowing the quality level of a video stream to change during its lifetime based on certain parameters. This approach makes the video stream more tolerant with respect to fluctuations in available bandwidth during the session lifetime. In order for a video stream to decide which quality level to request from the server, it is typical to use both parameters from the client side such as CPU load and estimated parameters from the network side such as available bandwidth. In order for available bandwidth estimations to become more accurate, it is beneficial with some degree of traffic shaping. This paper describes a new method of achieving a traffic shaping effect for adaptive video streaming sessions delivered to members of a specific user group identified by their unique network destination. The novelty of the method is represented by the use of segment size control per video session, rather than active shaping of each session. The effect of the method is analyzed by means of measuring packet IAT and video segment fetch durations, in a controlled lab environment using the Smooth Streaming framework from Microsoft.