This enables freedom of implementation choices for both middleware and applications. Implemented in Windows NT, the middleware framework runs above the Windows Sockets 2 interface, which encapsulates the Internet protocol stack on the end systems. Our experiences on implementing the middleware framework to support the adaptation to the complex tracking application have been positive. The output quality, tracking precision, of the tracking algorithms can be kept in a desired range without losing track, when Internet bandwidth availability fluctuates. The objective our adaptive QoS middleware framework is to provide control and direction towards adaptation of complex distributed applications, running over the next generation Internet protocols and services.
Adaptation is desired to cope with possible resource fluctuations beyond a minimal QoS level.
Based on the adaptation framework that we developed, we are able to quantitatively analyze the stability and adaptation agility of adaptive behavior, leveraging its analogy with control systems. We present experimental results in a distributed Visual Tracking application over Internet networks, in order to demonstrate the effects of adaptation in real systems. In Proceedings of 1998 Sixth IEEE International Workshop on Quality of Service, pp.