Data center networking with multipath TCP

Recently new data center topologies have been proposed that offer higher aggregate bandwidth and location independence by creating multiple paths in the core of the network. To effectively use this bandwidth requires ensuring different flows take different paths, which poses a challenge. Plainly put, there is a mismatch between single-path transport and the multitude of available network paths. We propose a natural evolution of data center transport from TCP to multipath TCP. We show that multipath TCP can effectively and seamlessly use available bandwidth, providing improved throughput and better fairness in these new topologies when compared to single path TCP and randomized flow-level load balancing. We also show that multipath TCP outperforms laggy centralized flow scheduling without needing centralized control or additional infrastructure. Categories and Subject Descriptors C.2.2[Computer-Comms Nets]: Network Protocols General Terms: Multipath TCP, Data Center Networks

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: HOTNETS
• Authors: Costin Raiciu, Christopher Pluntke, Sébastien Barré, Adam Greenhalgh, Damon Wischik, Mark Handley
• Keywords: Computer Networks, Data Center, Data Center Topologies, HOTNETS 2010, Multipath Tcp