Simulation and analysis of loss in IP networks

The primary goal of this research is to simulate and analyze the loss process in Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Obtaining insight into the loss patterns in a network is important for measuring the network performance during transfers of multimedia traffic.; In order to analyze the packet loss process, we collected specific information about when loss appears in the network, which packets are lost, whether the loss is clustered in bursts (episodes), how long these loss episodes are, and what the impact of network protocols on loss is. Of particular interest were consecutive packet losses because they contribute to the prolonged loss episodes, which adversely affect multimedia traffic. We expect that having better knowledge about the loss patterns may help design decisions for enabling or improving Quality of Service (QoS) support in packet networks.; We use a simulation-based approach for collection of loss data. We investigate the loss process during UDP and TCP transfers, focusing on loss episodes. We analyze consecutive packet losses for both per-flow and aggregate loss at the router buffers. Our analysis indicates that packet loss exhibits long-range dependence and preserves the self-similar property of the traffic patterns sent by video sources.