Efficient simulation of delay in TCP/IP networks using DPR-based splitting

Simulation is an important tool in evaluating the performance of computer networks. We present a technique for computationally efficient simulation of delay in networks with a number of nodes, background traffic, and a TCP protocol. The technique uses splitting based on direct probability redistribution (DPR). DPR has been shown to be a powerful technique for efficient simulation of a number of different network topologies. However, efficient simulation of delay in networks, especially those utilizing a transport layer protocol with feedback, such as TCP, has been elusive. The technique presented here solves this problem by modifying the subset indicator function associated with DPR. We demonstrate the technique by applying it to a network with four nodes, background traffic, and a TCP protocol.