Dynamic queue level control of TCP/RED systems in AQM routers

One main TCP congestion control objective is, by dynamically adjusting the source window size according to the router queue level, to stabilize the buffer queue length at a given target, thereby achieving predictable queueing delay, reducing packet loss and maximizing link utilization. One difficulty therein is the TCP acknowledging actions will experience a time delay from the router to the source in a TCP system. In this paper, a time-delay control theory is applied to analyze the mechanism of packet-dropping at router and the window-updating in TCP source in TCP congestion control for a TCP/RED dynamic model. We then derive explicit conditions under which the TCP/RED system is asymptotically stable in terms of the instantaneous queue. We discuss the convergence of the buffer queue lengths in the routers. Our results suggest that, if the network parameters satisfy certain conditions, the TCP/RED system is stable and its queue length can converge to any target. We illustrate the theoretical results using ns2 simulations and demonstrate that the network can achieve good performance and converge to the arbitrary target queues.     

基于NS2的主动队列管理仿真研究

主动式队列管理技术是IETF为了解决Internet 拥塞控制问题而提出的一种路由器缓存管理技术。该文介绍了目前应用较为广泛的网络仿真器NS-2，对几种主要AQM算法Drop Tail、RED和ARED的性能在基于NS2仿真实验的基础上进行了比较研究，研究的性能包括队列长度、TCP 全局同步问题、连接数对系统稳定性和鲁棒性的影响等；仿真结果表明ARED性能优于Drop Tail和RED算法。     

Bounds estimation and practical stability of AIMD/RED systems with time delays

The Additive Increase and Multiplicative Decrease (AIMD) congestion control algorithm of TCP deployed in the end systems and the Random Early Detection (RED) queue management scheme deployed in the intermediate systems contribute to Internet stability and integrity. Previous research based on the fluid-flow model analysis indicated that, with feedback delays, the TCP/RED system may not be asymptotically stable when the time delays or the bottleneck link capacity becomes large [3]. However, as long as the system operates near its desired equilibrium, small oscillations around the equilibrium are acceptable, and the network performance (in terms of efficiency, loss rate, and delay) is still satisfactory. In this paper, we study the practical stability of AIMD/RED system with feedback delays and with both homogeneous and heterogeneous flows. We obtain theoretical bounds of the flow window size and the RED queue length, as functions of the number of flows, link capacity, RED queue parameters, and AIMD parameters. Numerical results with Matlab and simulation results with NS-2 are given to validate the correctness and demonstrate the tightness of the derived bounds. The analytical and simulation results provide important insights on which system parameters contribute to higher system oscillations and how to set parameters (such as buffer size and queue management parameters) to ensure system efficiency with bounded delay and loss. Our results can also help to predict and control the system performance for Internet with higher data rate links multiplexed with heterogeneous flows with different parameters.     

Dynamics analysis of TCP Veno with RED

This paper studies the dynamics of TCP Veno with the queue management of RED (Random Early Detection). We develop a fluid-flow model to describe the behaviors of TCP Veno in wired/wireless networks. This model is further linearized to study TCP Veno’s stability issue through the linear feedback control theory. The analysis points out how the RED queue oscillates under different network parameters such as link capacity, round-trip time. Simulations are carried to validate our theoretical analysis. Furthermore, based on the analysis results obtained in this paper, we are able to provide guidelines for tuning RED parameters to stabilize the router queue, and improve the co-existence between TCP Veno and TFRC (TCP-friendly Rate Control) flows.     

A linear system analysis of RED

The random early detection (RED) algorithm proposed by Floyd and Jacobson [IEEE/ACM Trans. Networking 1 (4) (1993) 397] is a simple and quite effective mechanism for active queue management and as a result has been widely implemented in Internet routers. While RED certainly performs better than drop-tail, its parameters are difficult to tune to give good performance under different congestion scenarios. Also, studies have shown that RED does not stabilize the queue lengths in routers, because its equilibrium queue length strongly depends on the number of active TCP connections. As a result numerous variants of RED have been proposed to work around the performance problems of RED. In this paper, using inferences drawn from a linear systems analysis, we provide an insight into why RED is difficult to tune. The same linear systems analysis is used to show that the DRED algorithm proposed in [Computer 36 (2–3) (2001) 203; Comput. Commun. 24 (12) 2001 1170] overcomes the performance limitations of RED [IEEE/ACM Trans. Network. 1 (4) (1993) 397].     

一种针对TCP动态队列管理的控制算法

描述了一种新的TCP/IP动态队列管理控制算法,对于传统的随机早期检测法(RED)来说,它的主要目标之一就是稳定路由器队列的长度,然而它实现此目标并不是很成功,主要因为它在平衡队列长度的过程中很强地依赖了动态TCP链接数。而新的动态控制算法则使用了一种简单的控制方法,当路由器缓冲区即将出现拥塞时,它能够根据当前路由器缓冲区负载概率来随机地实施包丢弃。该算法能够很好地稳定路由器缓冲区的队列占用数,同时,在实现过程中并不用评估动态TCP链接数以及分析网络流的状况。所给出的一个实验模型表明,该控制算法是有效可行的。     

基于PID控制器的TCP主动队列管理*

运用反馈控制理论分析了TCP模型的稳定性能,并设计PID控制器以提高该系统的稳定性,采用OPNET对带PID控制器的TCP拥塞控制系统进行了仿真。仿真结果表明,PID控制器比传统的RED具有更快的响应速度、更小的队列长度波动和更大的链路利用率。     

改进的TCP/RED模型的稳定性分析

TCP自同步特性可提高网络稳定性,TCP/RED拥塞控制模型忽略了TCP自同步特性。针对该问题,提出包含TCP自同步特性更接近实际网络的改进TCP/RED拥塞控制模型。应用Nyquist稳定性判据给出当改进模型在复平面上属于某一不包含-1+j0点的下半平面时的稳定性条件,得到比TCP/RED模型更宽松的RED参数设置范围。NS2仿真验证了该稳定性条件的有效性。     

RED算法的数学模型研究

RED算法能够及时预测网络拥塞的到来,并同过标记避免网络拥塞,同时还解决了TCP全局同步的问题.RED算法对参数过于敏感一直是研究的主要问题.建立RED算法的数学模型,从数学角度分析RED算法的原理以及工作过程.对数学模型的静态分析、参数分析研究各个参数在算法中所起的作用以及其影响因子;给出如何设定参数才能使RED算法达到更好的性能.     

Design and analysis of a self-tuning feedback controller for the Internet

Active queue management (AQM) is an effective method used in Internet routers for congestion avoidance, and to achieve a tradeoff between link utilization and delay. The de facto standard, the random early detection (RED) AQM scheme, and most of its variants use average queue length as a congestion indicator to trigger packet dropping. This paper proposes a novel packet dropping scheme, called self-tuning proportional and integral RED (SPI-RED), as an extension of RED. SPI-RED is based on a self-tuning proportional and Integral feedback controller, which considers not only the average queue length at the current time point, but also the past queue lengths during a round-trip time to smooth the impact caused by short-lived traffic dynamics. Furthermore, we give theoretical analysis of the system stability and give guidelines for selection of feedback gains for the TCP/RED system to stabilize the average queue length at a desirable level. The proposed method can also be applied to the other variants of RED. Extensive simulations have been conducted with ns2. The simulation results have demonstrated that the proposed SPI-RED algorithm outperforms the existing AQM schemes in terms of drop probability and stability.     

基于时滞补偿的网络拥塞控制策略*

中间节点上的主动队列管理策略在保证较高吞吐量的基础上能有效控制队列长度和端到端时延,利用频率域模型降阶拟合方式建立了TCP流量控制中主动队列管理系统的等效模型,应用控制理论中的内模补偿原理设计鲁棒的延时补偿主动队列管理控制算法,克服了大时滞给对队列稳定造成的不利影响.仿真结果表明,该补偿方法在长时滞小期望队列综合性能明显优于已有的RED,REM,PI等算法,链路利用率大大提高.     

统计平衡状态下的RED建模和仿真

RED作为取代 TD的 Internet路由器队列管理策略 ,虽然已经得到了广泛的认同 ,但到目前为止其参数设置主要还是依赖于使用者的经验 ,这严重影响了它的大范围实现和部署 .通过均值分析方法对 RED在统计平衡时的动态特性进行了建模 ,并得出了在多个 TCP流竞争一条瓶颈链路的情况下 ,平均队长和 RED参数之间的解析关系 .仿真结果表明 ,该模型可以提供准确和有效的 RED参数设置方法 .     

Stability analysis of multiple-bottleneck networks

A TCP/RED (Transmission Control Protocol/Random Early Detection) system with multiple-bottleneck links could be unstable even if its system parameters are set the same as those in a stable single-bottleneck system [D. Bauso, L. Giarre, G. Neglia, Active queue management stability in multiple bottleneck networks, IEEE ICC’04, vol. 4, June 2004, pp. 2267–2271]. In this paper, we study the stability of more general AIMD (Additive Increase and Multiplicative Decrease)/RED system with multiple bottlenecks that may incur non-negligible packet losses. We develop a general mathematical model to analyze network stability for both delay-free and delayed AIMD/RED systems. Sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of multiple-bottleneck systems with heterogeneous delays are derived by appealing to Lyapunov stability theory with Lyapunov–Razumikhin conditions, and these conditions can be easily assessed by using LMI (Linear Matrix Inequality) Toolbox. Numerical results with Matlab and simulation results with NS-2 are given to validate the analytical results.     

A novel self-tuning feedback controller for active queue management supporting TCP flows

Wireless access points act as bridges between wireless and wired networks. Since the actually available bandwidth in wireless networks is much smaller than that in wired networks, there is a bandwidth disparity in channel capacity which makes the access point a significant network congestion point. The recently proposed active queue management (AQM) is an effective method used in wired network and wired-wireless network routers for congestion control, and to achieve a tradeoff between channel utilization and delay. The de facto standard, the random early detection (RED) AQM scheme, and most of its variants use average queue length as a congestion indicator to trigger packet dropping. In this paper, we propose a Novel autonomous Proportional and Differential RED algorithm, called NPD-RED, as an extension of RED. NPD-RED is based on a self-tuning feedback proportional and differential controller, which not only considers the instantaneous queue length at the current time point, but also takes into consideration the ratio of the current differential error signal to the buffer size. Furthermore, we give theoretical analysis of the system stability and give guidelines for the selection of feedback gains for the TCP/RED system to stabilize the instantaneous queue length at a desirable level. Extensive simulations have been conducted with ns2. The simulation results have demonstrated that the proposed NPD-RED algorithm outperforms the existing AQM schemes in terms of average queue length, average throughput, and stability.     

LRED: A Robust and Responsive AQM Algorithm Using Packet Loss Ratio Measurement

Active queue management (AQM) is an effective means to enhance congestion control, and to achieve trade-off between link utilization and delay. The de facto standard, random early detection (RED), and many of its variants employ queue length as a congestion indicator to trigger packet dropping. Despite their simplicity, these approaches often suffer from unstable behaviors in a dynamic network. Adaptive parameter settings, though might solve the problem, remain difficult in such a complex system. Recent proposals based on analytical TCP control and AQM models suggest the use of both queue length and traffic input rate as congestion indicators, which effectively enhances stability. Their response time generally increases however, leading to frequent buffer overflow and emptiness. In this paper, we propose a novel AQM algorithm that achieves fast response time and yet good robustness. The algorithm, called Loss Ratio-based RED (LRED), measures the latest packet loss ratio, and uses it as a complement to queue length for adaptively adjusting the packet drop probability. We develop an analytical model for LRED, which demonstrates that LRED is responsive even if the number of TCP flows and their persisting times vary significantly. It also provides a general guideline for the parameter settings in LRED. The performance of LRED is further examined under various simulated network environments, and compared to existing AQM algorithms. Our simulation results show that, with comparable complexities, LRED achieves shorter response time and higher robustness. More importantly, it trades off the goodput with queue length better than existing algorithms, enabling flexible system configurations     

大时滞网络中的拥塞控制算法

主动队列管理(AQM)通过网络中间节点有目的的分组丢弃实现了较低的排队延时和较高的有效吞吐量,是近年来TCP端到端拥塞控制的一个研究热点.已有的大多数AQM算法在设计过程中都没有充分考虑到大时滞对算法性能的影响.首先通过仿真试验证实了已有的几种典型算法控制的队列在大时滞网络中无一例外地出现了剧烈的振荡,导致瓶颈链路利用率下降和延时抖动加剧.为此,在进行了适当模型拟合处理的基础上,应用控制理论中的内模补偿原理设计了鲁棒的延时补偿主动队列管理(delay compensation-active queue management,简称DC-AQM)算法,克服了大时滞给队列稳定性造成的不利影响.仿真实验结果表明,新算法在大时滞小期望队列长度的网络配置中表现出的综合性能明显优于已有的算法,链路利用率是其他算法的3～4倍.     

Adaptive mechanism-based congestion control for networked systems

In order to assure the communication quality in network systems with heavy traffic and limited bandwidth, a new ATRED (adaptive thresholds random early detection) congestion control algorithm is proposed for the congestion avoidance and resource management of network systems. Different to the traditional AQM (active queue management) algorithms, the control parameters of ATRED are not configured statically, but dynamically adjusted by the adaptive mechanism. By integrating with the adaptive strategy, ATRED alleviates the tuning difficulty of RED (random early detection) and shows a better control on the queue management, and achieve a more robust performance than RED under varying network conditions. Furthermore, a dynamic transmission control protocol–AQM control system using ATRED controller is introduced for the systematic analysis. It is proved that the stability of the network system can be guaranteed when the adaptive mechanism is finely designed. Simulation studies show the proposed ATRED algorithm achieves a good performance in varying network environments, which is superior to the RED and Gentle-RED algorithm, and providing more reliable service under varying network conditions.     

一种新的自适应RED算法

主动队列管理算法(RED)存在很多问题,如参数难以配置、对负载变化敏感等,为此采用控制理论的方法改进RED算法,提出一种基于比例控制的自适应RED算法,PRED。仿真结果表明该算法的稳定性好,队列的稳态值不受负载变化的影响。与已有的几种主动队列管理算法的性能比较表明,PRED算法的性能明显优于ARED,PI控制,DRED,SRED和REM几种算法。     

Managing Internet routers congested links with a Kohonen-RED queue

The behaviour of the TCP AIMD algorithm is known to cause queue length oscillations when congestion occurs at a router output link. Indeed, due to these queueing variations, end-to-end applications experience large delay jitter. Many studies have proposed efficient active queue management (AQM) mechanisms in order to reduce queue oscillations and stabilize the queue length. These AQM attempt to improve the random early detection (RED) model. Unfortunately, these enhancements do not react in a similar manner for various network conditions and are strongly sensitive to their initial setting parameters. Although this paper proposes a solution to overcome the difficulties of configuring the RED parameters by using a Kohonen neural network model; another goal of this study is to investigate whether cognitive intelligence could be placed in the core network to solve such stability problem. In our context, we use results from the neural network area to demonstrate that our proposal, named Kohonen-RED (KRED), enables a stable queue length without complex parameters setting or passive measurements to obtain a correct configuration.