Study of Buffer Size in Internet Routers

摘要

In this report, we summarize the results of our small buffer project. The goals of the project were (1) to model the behavior of TCP in a network where the routers have very small buffers, (2) to determine a rule for sizing buffers in such networks, and (3) to improve on TCP so that it can operate well in such a network. The main outcomes of the project were as follows: We developed an algorithm based on the use of rational approximations coupled with a Hierarchical Markovian model of network traffic to study the effect of small buffers of TCP performance. This algorithm is computationally efficient and yields accurate estimates of buffer overflow probability. We developed model and analytical techniques for studying and quantifying oscillatory behavior in small buffer networks handling TCP flows. These were shown to be accurate compared to Matlab simulation. Last, we developed new TCP congestion avoidance algorithms suitable for a small buffer Internet.