FAST FRIENDLY START FOR A DATA FLOW

摘要

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a packet data flow to use markings on packets (93, 94) that indicate the longest instantaneous queue length on a path in order to rapidly increase the flow rate up to an available capacity of a network node without overshoot, in order to avoid the TCP Slow start process.

主权项

1. A method for initialising a flow of packets between a source node and a node along a path in a network, comprising at the source node:
sending one or more initial burst of packets over a round-trip at a chosen rate; receiving from the network node a sequence of feedback packets, said sequence indicating a queue length at the network node at the arrival of a packet from the initial burst or bursts of packets; estimating from the sequence a mismatch between the chosen rate and a rate available at the network node; and sending a further burst of packets using a fraction of said initially chosen rate.