Bandwidth allocation

Abstract: In this paper, we analyze a performance model for the TCP Congestion Avoidance algorithm. The model predicts the bandwidth of a sustained TCP connection subjected to light to moderate packet losses, such as loss caused by network congestion. It assumes that TCP avoids retransmission timeouts and always has sufficient receiver window and sender data. The model predicts the Congestion Avoidance performance of nearly all TCP implementations under restricted conditions and of TCP with Selective Acknowledgements over a much wider range of Internet conditions.We verify the model through both simulation and live Internet measurements. The simulations test several TCP implementations under a range of loss conditions and in environments with both drop-tail and RED queuing. The model is also compared to live Internet measurements using the TReno diagnostic and real TCP implementations.We also present several applications of the model to problems of bandwidth allocation in the Internet. We use the model to analyze networks with multiple congested gateways; this analysis shows strong agreement with prior work in this area. Finally, we present several important implications about the behavior of the Internet in the presence of high load from diverse user communities.

Abstract: The authors propose a computationally simple approximate expression for the equivalent capacity or bandwidth requirement of both individual and multiplexed connections, based on their statistical characteristics and the desired grade-of-service (GOS). The purpose of such an expression is to provide a unified metric to represent the effective bandwidth used by connections and the corresponding effective load of network links. These link metrics can then be used for efficient bandwidth management, routing, and call control procedures aimed at optimizing network usage. While the methodology proposed can provide an exact approach to the computation of the equivalent capacity, the associated complexity makes it infeasible for real-time network traffic control applications. Hence, an approximation is required. The validity of the approximation developed is verified by comparison to both exact computations and simulation results. >

Abstract: Theory and experiments show that as the per-flow product of bandwidth and latency increases, TCP becomes inefficient and prone to instability, regardless of the queuing scheme. This failing becomes increasingly important as the Internet evolves to incorporate very high-bandwidth optical links and more large-delay satellite links.To address this problem, we develop a novel approach to Internet congestion control that outperforms TCP in conventional environments, and remains efficient, fair, scalable, and stable as the bandwidth-delay product increases. This new eXplicit Control Protocol, XCP, generalizes the Explicit Congestion Notification proposal (ECN). In addition, XCP introduces the new concept of decoupling utilization control from fairness control. This allows a more flexible and analytically tractable protocol design and opens new avenues for service differentiation.Using a control theory framework, we model XCP and demonstrate it is stable and efficient regardless of the link capacity, the round trip delay, and the number of sources. Extensive packet-level simulations show that XCP outperforms TCP in both conventional and high bandwidth-delay environments. Further, XCP achieves fair bandwidth allocation, high utilization, small standing queue size, and near-zero packet drops, with both steady and highly varying traffic. Additionally, the new protocol does not maintain any per-flow state in routers and requires few CPU cycles per packet, which makes it implementable in high-speed routers.

Abstract: Radio Frequency (RF) communications are an important smart grid enabler for functions such as volt/VAR control, recloser control, and feeder restorations and isolation. This paper will give a basic tutorial on the types of radio frequency communications and the benefits and liabilities of each. Specific topics to be explored will be licensed verses unlicensed frequencies, distance between remote radios and base stations, and communications architectures. Radio technology is often referred in numerical ranges or frequencies. The decision on which frequency to employ in a network depends on a few key variables. Prior to deciding which frequency for a network, the application for the radio use will assist with dictation of which frequency range to utilize. Applications such as recloser control and volt/Var control may require a radio device that can provide a high bandwidth/fast speed solution. Other SCADA applications such as sensor monitoring may only require small bandwidth and for data delivery to be at a much slower speed. Another variable when deciding on a radio network is the distance from the main SCADA hosts to end remote devices such as RTUs or PLCs. Lower end frequencies (100 MHz-900 MHz) provide further coverage and greater distance from base stations/Access Points to remote end devices, whereas higher frequencies (2.4 GHz-5.8 GHz) provide shorter distance coverage, but higher bandwidth and relay data back to SCADA hosts much faster. Determining a network's architecture should focus on either the desire of a private, licensed network or the notion of an unlicensed, less expensive network. The lower licensed frequency ranges (100 MHz, 200 MHz, 400 MHz and upper 900 MHz bands) are often referred to as MAS (Multiple Address Systems) networks and require license acquisition from the FCC once geographical coverage is determined. These licenses are granted for the lower frequencies as mentioned previously but are considered the proprietary use of the owner. Anyone operating in these frequencies will be fined/cited by the FCC. The less expensive, unlicensed network is allowable for frequencies ranging from 902 MHz-928 MHz, which is defined as the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) bands. Within the unlicensed frequency band, there exist registered bands (3.65 GHz) that employ WiMax (Wireless Microwave Access for Broadband) technology that provide shorter coverage for remote devices, however, the bandwidth and speed provided by these frequencies make them just as popular for networks. Further analysis and discussion of licensed versus unlicensed radio wireless communications is proposed in this paper.