Improving TCP performance over an on-board multi-homed network

Abstract

Previously, a multi-homed NEMO architecture has been proposed to improve the reliability and aggregate the bandwidth of MR by simultaneously using multiple wireless links. In this work, we propose a novel protocol called ETOM (Enhancements for TCP On a Multi-homed mobile router) to improve the performance of sending a single TCP connection over multiple wireless links on a MR. ETOM consists of three components. First, we use a reordering buffer to eliminate unnecessary retransmission caused by out-of-order packets. Second, we develop a Multi-homed Split Connection mechanism to enable the TCP connection to quickly adapt to the conditions of multiple links when packet loss occurs. Finally, a Scheduled Window-based Transmission Control algorithm is proposed to mitigate the negative effects of out-of-order packets in the case of using heterogeneous links in a multi-homed environment. We evaluate the performance of ETOM by comparing it with the Concurrent Multi-path Transfer SCTP (CMT-SCTP). ETOM resolves several performance issues that could hinder the development and practical application of multi-homed mobile router technology.