Optimization of Probe Train Size for Available Bandwidth Estimation in High-speed Networks

Available bandwidth parameter is a crucial characteristic in terms of networking and data transmission. The beforehand knowledge of its value and use of this parameter in various traffic engineering algorithms and QoS calculations is a key for high-efficient multigigabit data transport in nowadays networks. The challenge in available bandwidth estimations is not only in its accuracy and processing speed but also in the reduction of the amount of probe traffic injected into the network by keeping an adequate level of estimation accuracy. In this paper we extend existing active probing measurement algorithms for end-to-end available bandwidth estimation along with methods to reduce estimation times and amount of injected traffic while keeping measurement accuracy constant and even reducing the uncertainty of estimations. The main goal of this research was to detect a sufficient ratio of MTU, packet train size with the link capacity and available bandwidth (AvB) in up to 10 Gbps networks. In order to explore measurement accuracy under different conditions, a new tool for the AvB estimation named Kite2 has been developed and is presented in the paper. Comparative performance of AvB estimations using Kite2, Kite and Yaz is presented. Finally we calculate with statistical means dependency between the estimation error probability, measurement probing overhead and the measurement time.