The dual flow control problem of TCP over ATM ABR services

In this paper, we investigate the dual control problem*TCP #ow control at the TCP layer and ABR #ow control at the ATM layer. First, we observe that TCP #ow control and ABR #ow control cannot co-operate well. The worst case is that the slow start after packet loss causes high but unused ACR (Allowed Cell Rate) which raises the potential of cell loss and an under#owed switch queue which reduces ABR throughput. We suggest to implement a use-it-or-lose-it policy for ABR and fast recovery for TCP to avoid these phenomena. Copyright ( 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.