A simple mechanism for stabilizing network queues in TCP/IP networks

In this paper we determine the stability bounds for the DRED active queue management (AQM) algorithm using a previously developed nonlinear dynamic model of TCP. We develop a second‐order linear model with time delay by linearizing the nonlinear model. Using the Pade approximation of time‐delayed system e−R0s, where R0 is the delay in the system, we then determine the range of stabilizing gains of DRED when controlling the second‐order system with time delay R0. We also present examples showing the stability bounds of the DRED controller gain for networks with different parameters such as link capacity, load level, and round‐trip time. In addition, we describe an efficient implementation of the DRED AQM algorithm. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.