Load distribution using modified RED for multipath TCP communication

Abstract

Demand for large bandwidth network connections is growing continuously while network connections via multiple paths can exist because of high degree of connectivity. Utilization of the multiple paths is an economical solution for provisioning large network capacity to meet the users' requirements but it brings about key issues such as load imbalance (causing a large queue and buffer overflow at a gateway) and packet reordering problems that have significant impacts on TCP connections. In this paper, we propose a load distribution model for TCP transmission, called Load Distribution over Multipath with Extended Drop Slope Random Early Detection (LDM/ExRED). LDM/ExRED takes advantages of RED mechanism to maintain a small queue, avoid buffer overflow at a gateway, and mitigate packet reordering problem. In addition, it reduces peak buffer occupancy by using our modified RED (i.e., ExRED). Our work will be evaluated and compared to the other existing models by simulations under realistic traffic conditions.