Method and apparatus for optimizing channel bandwidth utilization by simultaneous reliable transmission of sets of multiple data transfer units (DTUs)

A system and method for reliably transmitting large amounts of data over a high speed network with large latency, such as a communication satellite based network. A transmitting device transmits data transfer units (DTUs) to one or more receiving devices. The transmitting device forms and transmits burst consisting of reliably delivered sets of multiple DTUs. Both the transmitting device and the receiving devices process multiple bursts in parallel, such that subsequent bursts can be transmitted and received prior to the correct receipt of a previously transmitted burst at all of the receiving devices, and/or prior to receipt of a status report at the transmitting device regarding a previously transmitted burst. The transmitting device operates to transmit subsequent bursts even before the receipt of a status information regarding a previous burst, and the receiving devices process subsequently received bursts while awaiting retransmission of a lost or damaged DTU from a previous burst.