Characteristics of ABR explicit rate control algorithms in WAN environments and an ABR control algorithm suitable for public networks

摘要

This paper investigates the characteristics of available bit rate (ABR) explicit rate control algorithms in wide area network (WAN) environments. An ABR service is expected to make more effective bandwidth utilization possible through closed loop congestion control, and several control algorithms have been proposed. However, in WAN environments a long propagation control delay will affect the effectiveness of the control algorithms. Additionally, if a network supports a large number of connections, some of the algorithms may not work well. Thus we have categorized the control algorithms according to their purpose and mechanism and have evaluated their characteristics by simulation in WAN environments from the viewpoint of throughput, robustness, quickness, stability and fairness. Based on this analysis, we have developed an ABR control algorithm suitable for public networks. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.