Targeting Bufferbloat in Wi-Fi Networks: An Emulator-based
Approach
<Abstract> In modern networks, bufferbloat is currently a rising problem where network equipment with the oversized buffer can produce undesired latency in packet transmission. WiFi network is not an exception, for example, in the case of having an incorrect configuration on access points. Due to the gaining popularity of Wi-Fi (e.g., in the Internet of Things domain), there is a need for a supporting platform that can evaluate and quantify the bufferbloat issue in Wi-Fi based networks. That may give the researchers the capabilities of addressing the root cause of bufferbloat in their networks and figure out solutions. In this paper, we present an emulator-based approach targeting bufferbloat. Our aim is to provide a time and cost-efficient platform for addressing Wi- Fifs bufferbloat. Relying on the popular mininet-wifi, we create a set of tool, measurement methods which provide good evidence of this problem in WiFi networks. In addition, we use the platform to provide a comparison of different congestion control algorithms to find the best one in dealing with bufferbloat. |