Network Congestion Control with Markovian Multipath Routing

TL;DR

This paper presents a unified model for TCP/IP with multipath routing, combining utility maximization and Markovian traffic equilibrium, along with a distributed solution approach for improved network congestion control.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integrated model linking rate control and routing based on delays, with a proof of unique equilibrium and a practical distributed algorithm.

Findings

Existence of a unique equilibrium state.

Convex optimization formulation for the equilibrium.

Distributed algorithm suitable for Internet protocol adaptation.

Abstract

In this paper we consider an integrated model for TCP/IP protocols with multipath routing. The model combines a Network Utility Maximization for rate control based on end-to-end queuing delays, with a Markovian Traffic Equilibrium for routing based on total expected delays. We prove the existence of a unique equilibrium state which is characterized as the solution of an unconstrained strictly convex program. A distributed algorithm for solving this optimization problem is proposed, with a brief discussion of how it can be implemented by adapting the current Internet protocols.