The objective of the TOTEM project (TOolbox for Traffic Engineering Methods) is to develop a toolbox of algorithms for traffic engineering purposes. Therefore, we will unify the algorithms which we already proposed these last years and we will develop new techniques of traffic engineering applicable in a single network as well as between distinct networks. These techniques will take into account the distribution of the traffic, the fault-tolerance requirement and the support of the quality of service. We will develop generic algorithms for the optimization of networks of big size which will apply, on one hand, to IP networks, and on the other hand, to networks operated with (G)MPLS. Some of these algorithms will require extensions to the routing (OSPF-TE, ISIS-TE, BGP) or signalling (RSVP-TE) protocols which we will submit to IETF. Our toolbox will be available in open source and will be designed such that its elements can easily be integrated in various platforms such as Linux PCs, routers, and open source network simulators like NS and/or J-Sim.