Performance of the TCP Protocol over ATM Networks

The segmentation process requi to carry TCP trafc over ATM networks can have an important e ect on the network performances. The e ciency of the TCP protocol over ATM networks is compared with the unfragmented TCP tra c, the comparison being based on the aggregate network throughput and on the throughput provided to single connections. Only a single switch with one-way tra c is considered; connections with di erent propagation delays are examined, to cover the LAN, MAN and WAN scenarios. Two main e ects due to the segmentation process are presented: the tra c synchronization and the useless tra c over the link. The ATM segmentation process reduces the aggregate network throughput, while its e ect on the fair allocation of bandwidth can be considered negligible.