An enhanced random early marking algorithm for Internet flow control

We propose earlier an optimization based flow control for the Internet called Random Early Marking (REM). In this paper we propose and evaluate an enhancement that attempts to speed up the convergence of REM in the face of large feedback delays. REM can be regarded as an implementation of an optimization algorithm in a distributed network. The basic idea is to treat the optimization algorithm as a discrete time system and apply linear control techniques to stabilize its transient. We show that the modified algorithm is stable globally and converges exponentially locally. This algorithm translates into an enhanced REM scheme and we illustrate the performance improvement through simulation

Efficient Resource Management Mechanism for 802.16 Wireless Networks Based on Weighted Fair Queuing

Wireless Networking continues on its path of being one of the most commonly used means of communication. The evolution of this technology has taken place through the design of various protocols. Some common wireless protocols are the WLAN, 802.16 or WiMAX, and the emerging 802.20, which specializes in high speed vehicular networks, taking the concept from 802.16 to higher levels of performance. As with any large network, congestion becomes an important issue. Congestion gains importance as more hosts join a wireless network. In most cases, congestion is caused by the lack of an efficient mechanism to deal with exponential increases in host devices. This can effectively lead to very huge bottlenecks in the network causing slow sluggish performance, which may eventually reduce the speed of the network. With continuous advancement being the trend in this technology, the proposal of an efficient scheme for wireless resource allocation is an important solution to the problem of congestion. The primary area of focus will be the emerging standard for wireless networks, the 802.16 or “WiMAX”. This project, attempts to propose a mechanism for an effective resource management mechanism between subscriber stations and the corresponding base station

Optimization flow control with Newton-like algorithm

We proposed earlier an optimization approach to reactive flow control where the objective of the control is to maximize the aggregate utility of all sources over their transmission rates. The control mechanism is derived as a gradient projection algorithm to solve the dual problem. In this paper we extend the algorithm to a scaled gradient projection. The diagonal scaling matrix approximates the diagonal terms of the Hessian and can be computed at individual links using the same information required by the unscaled algorithm. We prove the convergence of the scaled algorithm and present simulation results that illustrate its superiority to the unscaled algorithm

Optimization flow control -- I: Basic algorithm and convergence

We propose an optimization approach to flow control where the objective is to maximize the aggregate source utility over their transmission rates. We view network links and sources as processors of a distributed computation system to solve the dual problem using a gradient projection algorithm. In this system, sources select transmission rates that maximize their own benefits, utility minus bandwidth cost, and network links adjust bandwidth prices to coordinate the sources' decisions. We allow feedback delays to be different, substantial, and time varying, and links and sources to update at different times and with different frequencies. We provide asynchronous distributed algorithms and prove their convergence in a static environment. We present measurements obtained from a preliminary prototype to illustrate the convergence of the algorithm in a slowly time-varying environment. We discuss its fairness property

Design and performance evaluation of a state-space based AQM

Recent research has shown the link between congestion control in communication networks and feedback control system. In this paper, the design of an active queue management (AQM) which can be viewed as a controller, is considered. Based on a state space representation of a linearized fluid flow model of TCP, the AQM design is converted to a state feedback synthesis problem for time delay systems. Finally, an example extracted from the literature and simulations via a network simulator NS (under cross traffic conditions) support our study

A discrete-time performance model for congestion control mechanism using queue thresholds with QOS constraints

This paper presents a new analytical framework for the congestion control of Internet traffic using a queue threshold scheme. This framework includes two discrete-time analytical models for the performance evaluation of a threshold based congestion control mechanism and compares performance measurements through typical numerical results. To satisfy the low delay along with high throughput, model-I incorporates one threshold to make the arrival process step reduce from arrival rate ¿1 directly to ¿2 once the number of packets in the system has reached the threshold value L1. The source operates normally, otherwise. Model-II incorporates two thresholds to make the arrival rate linearly reduce from ¿1 to ¿2 with system contents when the number of packets in the system is between two thresholds L1 and L2. The source operates normally with arrival rate ¿1 before threshold L1, and with arrival rate ¿2 after the threshold L2. In both performance models, the mean packet delay W, probability of packet loss PL and throughput S have been found as functions of the thresholds and maximum drop probability. The performance comparison results for the two models have also been made through typical numerical results. The results clearly demonstrate how different load settings can provide different tradeoffs between throughput, loss probability and delay to suit different service requirements

Robust control tools for traffic monitoring in TCP/AQM networks

Several studies have considered control theory tools for traffic control in communication networks, as for example the congestion control issue in IP (Internet Protocol) routers. In this paper, we propose to design a linear observer for time-delay systems to address the traffic monitoring issue in TCP/AQM (Transmission Control Protocol/Active Queue Management) networks. Due to several propagation delays and the queueing delay, the set TCP/AQM is modeled as a multiple delayed system of a particular form. Hence, appropriate robust control tools as quadratic separation are adopted to construct a delay dependent observer for TCP flows estimation. Note that, the developed mechanism enables also the anomaly detection issue for a class of DoS (Denial of Service) attacks. At last, simulations via the network simulator NS-2 and an emulation experiment validate the proposed methodology

Equilibrium bandwidth and buffer allocations for elastic traffics

Consider a set of users sharing a network node under an allocation scheme that provides each user with a fixed minimum and a random extra amount of bandwidth and buffer. Allocations and prices are adjusted to adapt to resource availability and user demands. Equilibrium is achieved when all users optimize their utility and demand equals supply for nonfree resources. We analyze two models of user behavior. We show that at equilibrium expected return on purchasing variable resources can be higher than that on fixed resources. Thus users must balance the marginal increase in utility due to higher return on variable resources and the marginal decrease in utility due to their variability. For the first user model we further show that at equilibrium where such tradeoff is optimized all users hold strictly positive amounts of variable bandwidth and buffer. For the second model we show that if both variable bandwidth and buffer are scarce then at equilibrium every user either holds both variable resources or none