TCP tuning framework

Dissertant

Raissuni, Zuhayr

Thesis advisor

Smith, Kevin Scott
Tantaoui, Munir al-Araki

University

Al Akhawayn University

Faculty

School of Science and Engineering

Department

Computer Networks

University Country

Morocco

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2006

English Abstract

During the last decade networking research focus was mainly oriented toward optimizing network backbones and IP network architectures as well as other issues at or below the IP layer.

This effort led to data transmission capabilities in the order of several gigabits per seconds.

Despite these significant advancements, the performance seen from applications’ perspective is low compared to lower layers’ fast transmission rates.

In fact, the eventual causes to this problem span the whole range of network layers below the application.

Since all layers cooperate in the data delivery process to applications, the deficiency in any layer can mask the effect of the proper working of all the others, leading to the performance reduction experienced by applications.

Therefore, this problem needs to be approached from a side that will enable global visibility into the problem space and better diagnostics of all network layers.

The solution proposed in this work is based on enhancing the response of the TCP protocol because of its direct association with the applications’ achieved throughput and its ability to identify the bottleneck in sublayers.

In addition, TCP can provide information on the current state of the network since the protocol passively measures, estimates network conditions and adjusts itself accordingly.

In this work, a framework for tuning TCP’s most influential components on data transmission strategy is stated through empirical study and literature survey.

First, a comparative simulation study of the different TCP congestion avoidance algorithms is conducted in NS-2 to evaluate and explore how these schemes interact in networks with different characteristics, and then the TCP most suitable window size to use in each particular network context is researched.

Finally, the recommendations resulting from this empirical study are integrated in an experimentation prototype emulator to demonstrate the effectiveness of TCP congestion control algorithm tuning and window size tuning in enhancing applications’ performance.

The aim of this TCP tuning tool is to produce the optimal TCP configuration (congestion control algorithm and window size) by which applications requesting networked service can achieve higher throughputs in specific network environments.

To illustrate some of the applications’ enhanced performance through TCP tuning, some results are shown in the context of web page transfers from a server running on top of a tuned TCP protocol to clients connected from links with different characteristics.

Main Subjects

Engineering & Technology Sciences (Multidisciplinary)

No. of Pages

64

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-647354