Smooth slow-start: refining TCP slow-start for large-bandwidth with long-delay networks

Abstract

The transmission control protocol (TCP) adopts some techniques that use network resources efficiently by estimating the characteristics and condition of the network. The slow-start algorithm is the primary technique for effective resource usage. The goal of slow-start is to establish a TCP connection in an optimum state for the network path quickly unless giving an excessive load to the network. However, in large-bandwidth with long-delay links such as satellite links, the slow-start algorithm does not work properly and causes substantial performance degradation. In this paper, we describe the problem of the current slow-start algorithm in large-bandwidth with long-delay networks. We propose a new slow-start algorithm that can increase network transfer performance for large bandwidth with long delay networks. We also implemented this algorithm on a network simulator for evaluation and it resulted in over a 60% efficiency compared to a normal slow start algorithm.