Mechanisms for a reliable timer-based protocol. [Packet-switched network]
John George Fletcher, R. Watson · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1977
Timer-based protocol mechanisms are developed for reliable and efficient transmission of both single-message and message-stream traffic; that is, correct data delivery is assured in the face of lost, damaged, duplicate, and out-of-sequence packets. The protocol mechanisms seem particularly useful in a high-speed local network environment. Current reliable protocol design approaches are not well suited for single-message modes of communication appropriate, for example, to distributed network operating systems. The timer intervals that must be maintained for sender and receiver are developed along with the rules for timer operation, packet acceptance, packet creation, and connection opening and closing. The underlying assumptions about network characteristics required for the timer-based approach to work correctly are discussed, particularly, that maximum packet lifetime can be bounded. The timer-based mechanisms are compared with mechanisms designed to deal with the same problems by using the exchange of multiple messages to open and close logical connections or virtual circuits. 5 figures.