Part II: control theory for buffer sizing

This article describes how control theory has been used to address the question of how to size the buffers in core Internet routers. Control theory aims to predict whether the network is stable, i.e. whether TCP flows are desynchronized. If flows are desynchronized then small buffers are sufficient [14]; the theory here shows that small buffers actually promote desynchronization--a virtuous circle. Categories and Subject Descriptors C.2 [Internetworking]: Routers; C.4 [Performance of systems]: Modeling techniques General Terms Design, Performance, Theory Keywords Buffer size, TCP, congestion control, fluid model, control theory, synchronization

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2005
• Where: CCR
• Authors: Gaurav Raina, Donald F. Towsley, Damon Wischik
• Keywords: CCR 2005, Core Internet Routers, Small Buffers, Theory