TCP Fast Drop Recovery via Out-of-Order Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network congestion caused by large multimedia file transfers leads to dropped packets, resulting in inefficiencies in TCP connection recovery due to reliance on retransmission time-out periods, which can be lengthy and increase latency and bandwidth usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a receiving device sends a signal to the transmitting device to enter a congestion alleviation mode without waiting for a retransmission time-out, using out-of-order packet acknowledgments or TCP options to initiate a slow start mode with a reduced congestion window, allowing for faster recovery from packet drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitting device waits for a retransmission time-out period before retransmitting dropped packets, then the retransmission is reliable, but the latency increases and bandwidth efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving device performs preliminary action by sending a signal (such as duplicate ACKs or TCP options) to the transmitting device as soon as out-of-order packets are detected, before the retransmission time-out period expires. This allows the transmitting device to initiate retransmission earlier, reducing recovery latency while maintaining reliability through the signal-based notification mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the transmitting device enters slow start mode after packet drops, then the network congestion is alleviated, but the bandwidth efficiency and throughput decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dynamically adjusts the congestion window based on real-time network conditions. Instead of always entering slow start mode, the transmitting device can maintain a larger congestion window when the receiving device signals packet loss, allowing for faster recovery and higher throughput while still addressing congestion when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the congestion window parameter dynamically based on the signal from the receiving device. When a signal indicating packet loss is received, the congestion window is adjusted appropriately, allowing the system to balance between congestion control and maintaining high throughput during recovery.
3Reliability
If the transmitting device uses traditional retransmission algorithms like Reno or New Reno, then the packet loss is handled reliably, but the recovery time is lengthy and bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where the receiving device sends signals (duplicate ACKs or TCP options) to the transmitting device when out-of-order packets are detected. This feedback allows the transmitting device to initiate retransmission earlier and more efficiently, improving bandwidth utilization while maintaining reliable packet loss recovery.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for a fast drop recovery for a TCP connection are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a receiving device on a network receiving an out-of-order data. The receiving device may then signal to a transmitting device on the network, which sent the out-of-order packet, to enter a congestion alleviation mode without waiting for a delay period. The network packet transfer may be via TCP protocol, for example. The delay period may comprise a retransmission time-out period if the receiving device does not save isles. If the receiving device does save one or more isles, the delay period may be a period associated with delayed ACK. The signal may comprise a TCP option and/or an available TCP flag. The signal may also comprise, for example, three duplicate ACKs. Other similar signals may be used for networks that use other protocols than TCP. Upon receiving out-of-order data, the receiving device may, for example, send the signal and then assert a signal-sent flag if it is not already asserted. When a new packet is received in order, the signal-sent flag may be de-asserted.