Interesting People mailing list archives
A flaw in the Internet architecture?
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:10:35 -0700
________________________________________ From: Tony Lauck [tlauck () madriver com] Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 9:16 PM To: David Farber Cc: Richard Bennett Subject: Re: [IP] A flaw in the Internet architecture? I'm not sure what particular aspect of the Jacobson algorithm Richard Bennett considers a flaw. Normally TCP flow rates decrease with increasing round trip time -- this is a natural stabilizing function of any window based end to end flow control mechanism. By locating its servers closer to its end users a CDN operator reduces round trip time which benefits its users, but it also reduces transmission costs which indirectly benefits network operators and other network users. I fail to see any exploitation here. In any event, research dating at least as far back as the early 1980's shows that fair allocation of network resources can not be achieved at the ends of a network. Network operators must be responsible for allocating their own resources equitably among their customers; practical mechanisms exist to achieve this, some of which I have described in previous posts to this list. In my opinion, a common carrier should not be allowed into any other related business, period. (This works both ways: Google should not be allowed to become a carrier.) Limited space monopolies may be unavoidable in certain corners of an otherwise free market, but companies should not be allowed to use integration or contracts to leverage a monopoly. I believe the railroads made this clear during the 19th century. In my opinion these problems are structural and can not be solved by ever more complex regulations. What is needed are simple structural laws that make it impossible for unavoidable monopolies to spread outside of their niche. (Maybe nothing in our advanced civilization can be simple any longer. If so, then we are doomed, and justly so.) Tony Lauck www.aglauck.com Richard Bennett wrote:
The flaw that I see Google and the other CDNs exploiting is the inverse correlation of TCP flow rates to round-trip-time in conditions of congestion; caused by the Jacobson Algorithm; the multi-connection flaw exploited by BitTorrent is a separate issue. In order to achieve the Google flow rate, a competing search engine or video streamer would need to build or hire infrastructure comparable to the Google network, and this is something that ISPs could certainly provide on an economical basis if they're permitted to do so by law. The NN regulations can be read as barring ISPs from doing this, and that would be sad and anti-competitive. And FYI, Tony, I don't work for Comcast, but I'm certainly not opposed to taking money from them, Google, or anybody else as long as I have control of my message. I see the ISPs using my arguments all the time, and it would only be respectable for them to sent me a check now and then. Ironically, I do have a small financial relationship with Google in as much as I have an Adwords account. RB
------------------------------------------- Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/247/ Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
Current thread:
- A flaw in the Internet architecture? David Farber (Jul 10)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- A flaw in the Internet architecture? David Farber (Jul 10)
- Re: A flaw in the Internet architecture? David Farber (Jul 11)
- A flaw in the Internet architecture? David Farber (Jul 11)
- A flaw in the Internet architecture? David Farber (Jul 11)