Achieving High Throughput in Low Multiplexed, High Bandwidth, High Delay Environments

This paper explores combining ECN bits and loss feedback to achieve a high throughput connection in a high bandwidth, low multiplexed environment. In the scheme, a TCP source reacts differently on receiving an ECN than it does on inferring a packet loss in terms of congestion window update. Coupled with an AQM scheme such as RED, TCP sources achieve high utilization at a bottleneck router, but at the cost of fairness. The paper introduces a lightweight AQM mechanism that ensures fairness while still providing high utilization to the sources. The proposal is complementary to the HSTCP modification suggested by Floyd et al.