Multi-layer Analysis to Quantify the Impact of Optical Burst Reordering on TCP Performance

In this paper we provide a new methodology to quantify the impact of optical burst reordering in OBS networks on the TCP/IP end-to-end performance. We assume a multi-layer network stack consisting on TCP/IP on top of OBS. We propose a multi-layer analysis of burst and packet reordering that is realized by simulation. We apply the packet reordering definition of the IETF IPPM working group and use two different reorder metrics for precise characterization of reordering. We identify the key parameters in a burst and packet reordering scenario and point out TCP critical scenarios. We found that OBS only has an impact on the TCP performance in very dedicated scenarios.