Local area network characteristics, with implications for broadband network congestion management

The authors examine the phenomenon of congestion to better understand the congestion management techniques that will be needed in high-speed, cell-based networks. The first step of this study is to use high time-resolution local area network (LAN) traffic data to explore the nature of LAN traffic variability. Then the data are used for a trace-driven simulation of a connectionless service that provides LAN interconnection. The simulation allows one to characterize what congestion might look like in a high-speed, cell-based network. When realistic data are applied to simple models of LAN interconnection, it is observed that during periods, congestion persists and losses can be significant; congestion losses cannot be avoided by modest increases in buffer capacity; consequences of misengineering can be serious; and, fortunately, most congested periods are preceded by signs of impending danger