Algorithm for Dynamic Time out timer Calculation
Prerequisite – Computer Network | TCP Timers
Calculating Time out timer (TOT) at transport layer is tricky as propagation delay is not constant i.e. path may change continuously and traffic is dynamic. So, static TOT cannot be used at TCP. And unnecessarily retransmitting the same data packet multiple times may cause congestion.
Solution for this is we need dynamic TOT which can adjust to changes in round trip time (RTT).
Algorithm for Dynamic TOT calculation:
- Basic algorithm
- Jacobson’s algorithm
- Karn’s modification
- better than static TOT.
- TOT is flexible to dynamic round trip time.
- It takes into consideration all packets to derive new PRTT.
- TOT = 2 * PRTT is used to allow a grace time for returning acknowledgement.
- It is wasteful.
1. Basic algorithm –
We assume initial round trip time i.e PRTT. On sending out each packet TOT = 2 * PRTT. The next round trip time is calculated using PRTTn+1 = α PRTTn + (1 - α)ARTTn where PRTT = predicted round trip time ARTT = actual round trip time α = smoothing factor such that 0<= α <=1
Example – Let PRTT1 = 10ms and α = 0.5
TOT = 2 * PRTT1 = 20ms Let ARTT1 = 15ms Then, PRTT2 = (0.5 * 10) + (0.5 * 15) = 12.5ms TOT = 2 * 12.5 = 25ms Let ARTT2 = 20ms PRTT3 = (0.5 * 12.5) + (0.5 * 20) = 16.25ms TOT = 2 * 16.25 = 32.5ms And so on TOT is calculated.
Advantages –
Disadvantages –
2. Jacobson’s algorithm –
Calculates TOT value more intuitively than basic algorithm.
We assume initial round trip time i.e. PRTT. PRTTn+1 = α PRTTn + (1 - α)ARTTn PDn+1 = α PDn + (1 - α)ADn where ADn = |PRTTn - ARTTn| AD = Actual deviation PD = predicted deviation On sending out each packet, TOT = (4 * PD) + PRTT.
Example –
Iteration 1 Given α = 0.5, PRTT1 = 10ms, PD1 = 5ms and ARTT1 = 20ms TOT = (4 * 5) + 10 = 30ms AD1 = |10 - 20| = 10ms Iteration 2 PRTT2 = α PRTT1 + (1 - α)ARTT1 = (0.5 * 10) + (0.5 * 20) = 15ms PD2 = α PD1 + (1 - α)AD1 = (0.5 * 5) + (0.5 * 10) = 7.5ms TOT = (4 * 7.5) + 15 = 45ms Given ARTT2 = 30ms AD2 = |15 - 30| = 15ms Iteration 3 PRTT3 = α PRTT2 + (1 - α)ARTT2 = (0.5 * 15) + (0.5 * 30) = 22.5ms PD3 = α PD2 + (1 - α)AD2 = (0.5 * 7.5) + (0.5 * 15) = 11.25ms TOT = (4 * 11.25) + 22.5 = 67.5ms Given ARTT3 = 10ms AD2 = |22.5 - 10| = 12.5ms And so on TOT is calculated.
Problem with Basic and Jacobson’s Algorithm
In both, PRTTn+1 = α PRTTn + (1 – α)ARTTn
i.e both depend on previous segment ARTT. But if initial time out timer times out then what next TOT will be chosen since the acknowledgement is delayed i.e its coming after time out so ARTT is not available.
3. Karn’s Modification –
Whenever the timer times out do not apply either of Basic or Jacobson algorithm as ARTT is not available instead double the time out timer(TOT) whenever the timer times out and a retransmission is made.
GATE | Gate IT 2007 | Question 13