A Hybrid Active Queue Management Algorithm for Packet Management in Software Defined Networking

Abstract

Bufferbloat is a significant issue in network switches, arising from excessive packet buffering that leads to increased latency and degraded network performance. This happens when switches accumulate too many packets in their buffers, which causes transmission delays and negatively affects network efficiency. To address this problem, active queue management (AQM) algorithms are employed to dynamically adjust queue sizes and prevent congestion by selectively dropping packets. However, determining the optimal buffer size is crucial, as buffers that are too small can result in packet loss and reduced throughput. The integration of software-defined networking (SDN) technology offers a promising solution by enabling efficient network configuration and monitoring. By incorporating AQM algorithms within SDN environments, significant improvements in network performance can be achieved. This paper introduces a novel hybrid active queue management (HAQM) algorithm, which combines elements of both packet-oriented and delay-oriented AQM techniques within an SDN framework. The evaluation demonstrates that the HAQM algorithm effectively enhances network performance by mitigating issues related to packet loss, delay, and jitter, outperforming existing algorithms like CoDel, CoBALT, ARED, and ECN.