The Performance of TCP/IP over Wireless IEEE802.11 Links

Title: The Performance of TCP/IP over Wireless IEEE802.11 Links

Research Question: Can TCP/IP, a dominant network technology, perform well over wireless IEEE802.11 links, considering their higher error rates?

Methodology: The researchers used the NS-2 simulator to investigate the performance of TCP and UDP over wireless IEEE802.11 links. They focused on three traffic patterns: bulk transmission, real-time audio (using UDP), and web traffic (TCP). They also examined the effects of forward error correction (FEC) techniques and MAC layer parameters on throughput and response time.

Results: The study found that TCP can handle wireless IEEE802.11 links effectively, despite their higher error rates. The performance of TCP and UDP over wireless links depends on the traffic pattern. Bulk transmission can be affected by packet loss, while real-time audio traffic can tolerate some data loss without affecting the perception of the voice signal. Web traffic, on the other hand, is sensitive to response times.

Implications: The research suggests that TCP is a good transport protocol for wireless networks, including IEEE802.11 links. The study also highlights the importance of FEC techniques and MAC layer parameters in improving the performance of wireless networks.

In conclusion, the researchers have provided valuable insights into the performance of TCP/IP over wireless IEEE802.11 links, which can help in the design and implementation of wireless networks in the future.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0311035v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0311035v1