Inferring Queue Sizes in Access Networks by Active Measurement

Abstract. Router queues can impact both round-trip times and throughput. Yet little is publicly known about queue provisioning employed by Internet services providers for the routers that control the access links to home computers. This paper proposes QFind, a black-box measurement technique, as a simple method to approximate the size of the access queue at last mile router. We evaluate QFind through simulation, emulation, and measurement. Although precise access queue results are limited by receiver window sizes and other system events, we find there are distinct difference between DSL and cable access queue sizes.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: PAM
• Authors: Mark Claypool, Robert E. Kinicki, Mingzhe Li, James Nichols, Huahui Wu
• Keywords: Access Queue, Cable Access Queue, Computer Networks, PAM 2004, Precise Access Queue