On the effectiveness of an optimization method for the traffic of TCP-based multiplayer online games

This paper studies the feasibility of using an optimization method, based on multiplexing and header compression, for the traffic of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) using TCP at the Transport Layer. Different scenarios where a number of flows share a common network path are identified. The adaptation of the multiplexing method is explained, and a formula of the savings is devised. The header compression ratio is obtained using real traces of a popular game and a statistical model of its traffic is used to obtain the bandwidth saving as a function of the number of players and the multiplexing period. The obtained savings can be up to 60 % for IPv4 and 70 % for IPv6. A Mean Opinion Score model from the literature is employed to calculate the limits of the multiplexing period that can be used without harming the user experience. The interactions between multiplexed and non-multiplexed flows, sharing a bottleneck with different kinds of background traffic, are studied through simulations. As a result of the tests, some limits for the multiplexing period are recommended: the unfairness between players can be low if the value of the multiplexing period is kept under 10 or 20 ms. TCP background flows using SACK (Selective Acknowledgment) and Reno yield better results, in terms of fairness, than Tahoe and New Reno. When UDP is used for background traffic, high values of the multiplexing period may stress the unfairness between flows if network congestion is severe

Adaptive header compression techniques for mobile multimedia networks

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Improved multi-point communication for data and voice over IEEE 802.11b

There is a growing demand for faster, improved data and voice services in rural areas without modern telecom infrastructure. A wireless network is often the only feasible solution for providing network access in this environment, due to the sparse populations and difficult natural conditions. A system solution that incorporates the Multipoint Communication System (MCS) algorithm created by TRLabs into the available IEEE 802.11b Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) devices was proposed and studied in this thesis. It combines the advantages of both systems, that is, the MCS’ capability of integrating Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and data services and the IEEE 802.11b standard, currently the most widely used in WLAN products. A system test bed was set up inside Network Simulator-2 (NS-2). The data and VoIP performance was tested. Modifications to the original MCS algorithm to improve system performance were made throughout this thesis. In a constant rate radio channel, data performance (throughput and transmission efficiency) was measured using the original MCS algorithm, which was comparable to the standard Distribution Coordination Function (DCF) operation of IEEE 802.11b when both were simulated at similar conditions. On an 802.11b platform, the Automatic Rate Fallback (ARF) feature was incorporated into the original MCS algorithm. However, when clients with different data rates were present in the same channel, all the clients involved received unacceptably low and equal data throughput, dragged down by the low rate clients. A modified MCS data polling algorithm was proposed with the capability of repeated polling, which eliminated the negative effect of low rate clients in a multi-rate channel. In addition, the original MCS algorithm was modified to be more efficient in the voice polling process. The voice performance and data throughput were tested at various conditions. However, the one-by-one polling still resulted in very low voice transmission efficiency. The time wasted became more severe with increasing relay distance and channel rate (only 8.5% in an 11 Mbps channel at 30 km). A new voice handling process similar to Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) mode was implemented and simulated. Its voice efficiency can be kept at 25% at any setting of relay distance and channel rate. Data transmission in the same channel can also benefit from using the new voice scheme. The normalized saturation throughput could be improved by 13.5% if there were 40 voice clients involved in an 11 Mbps channel at the relay distance of 15 km, compared to the original MCS algorithm. More improvement in voice efficiency, voice capacity, and data throughput can be achieved at longer relay distance, or with more voice calls set up

Performance evaluation of WiMax for rural backhaul.

Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.Technologies such as WiFi and WiMAX, can be a powerful driving force for increasing rura

Performance of Wi-Fi coordination schemes for VolP in the presence of FTP data.

Evolved 3GPP cellular core networks have made co-existence of heterogeneous Wireless Access networks (HetNets) possible. The evolved core network along with the development of multimode end user devices have led to the realisation of converged Access Networks. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are assuming a prominent role in the telecommunications ecosystem due to their cost effectiveness, ease of deployment and operation in the free spectrum. Although WLANs are only data centric, there will be greater demand for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) over WLANs as multimode smart-phones become accessible and operators integrate WLANs into their business models. Therefore, it is imperative that WLAN’s ability to support VoIP services is thoroughly understood. Currently, the design of call admission control mechanisms for WLANs that support heterogeneous (data and voice) traffic is a challenging issue. The challenge stems from the difficulty of modelling the behaviour heterogeneous traffic, mixed VoIP and data traffic. IEEE 802.11 WLANs use two types of medium access schemes, the polling based schemes and the contention based schemes. Both types of WLAN coordination schemes have not been thoroughly investigated for their ability to support VoIP over WLANs in the presence of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) data sessions. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a Transport Control Protocol(TCP) based file exchange protocol. TCP was optimised for wired networks and as a result it is unsuitable for wireless network. Furthermore, it was not optimised to co-exist with VoIP and as a result of its burstiness it has severe impact on the jitter, packet-loss and delay of VoIP traffic. The purpose of the work presented in this report is to evaluate the performance of Distributed Coordinated Function (DCF), Point Coordination Function (PCF) and Enhanced Distributed Coordinated Function (EDCF) techniques’ ability to manage Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) over WLAN in the presence of contending heavy FTP data. The key question this work seeks to answer is, are the Medium Access Control (MAC) coordination techniques in their present form capable of carrying VoIP data in the presence of other data. In other words, how realistic is the deployment of VoIP services with FTP services in the same network, using the current coordination schemes for WLAN? Can these coordination schemes be improved by using current MAC enhancements such as fragmentation and increasing the Access Point buffer? The study is carried out for IEEE 802.11g as this is still the most widely deployed standard. The performance is evaluated by setting up a network of stations that generate both voice and FTP traffic in OPNET. The two network configurations are 30-Voice stations and 30-FTP stations; 15-Voice stations and 45-FTP stations. Moreover, two codecs G.711 and G.723 are compared to assess the effect of codec selection on performance

Secure VoIP Performance Measurement

This project presents a mechanism for instrumentation of secure VoIP calls. The experiments were run under different network conditions and security systems. VoIP services such as Google Talk, Express Talk and Skype were under test. The project allowed analysis of the voice quality of the VoIP services based on the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) values generated by Perceptual valuation of Speech Quality (PESQ). The quality of the audio streams produced were subjected to end-to-end delay, jitter, packet loss and extra processing in the networking hardware and end devices due to Internetworking Layer security or Transport Layer security implementations. The MOS values were mapped to Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality for wideband (PESQ-WB) scores. From these PESQ-WB scores, the graphs of the mean of 10 runs and box and whisker plots for each parameter were drawn. Analysis on the graphs was performed in order to deduce the quality of each VoIP service. The E-model was used to predict the network readiness and Common vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) was used to predict the network vulnerabilities. The project also provided the mechanism to measure the throughput for each test case. The overall performance of each VoIP service was determined by PESQ-WB scores, CVSS scores and the throughput. The experiment demonstrated the relationship among VoIP performance, VoIP security and VoIP service type. The experiment also suggested that, when compared to an unsecure IPIP tunnel, Internetworking Layer security like IPSec ESP or Transport Layer security like OpenVPN TLS would improve a VoIP security by reducing the vulnerabilities of the media part of the VoIP signal. Morever, adding a security layer has little impact on the VoIP voice quality

In-Situ Real Time Monitoring and Control of Mold Making and Filling Processes: Final Report

This project presents a model for addressing several objectives envisioned by the metal casting industries through the integration of research and educational components. It provides an innovative approach to introduce technologies for real time characterization of sand molds, lost foam patterns and monitoring of the mold filling process. The technology developed will enable better control over the casting process. It is expected to reduce scrap and variance in the casting quality. A strong educational component is integrated into the research plan to utilize increased awareness of the industry professional, the potential benefits of the developed technology, and the potential benefits of cross cutting technologies