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Virginia Tech

Fiber-Based ATM Computer Network Performance and Survivability Issues under Soft Failure Conditions

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

In this research a suspected "gray" area in computer network performance that might exist between the network's optimum performance and complete network failure was investigated. Changes in performance were studied as seen by the application layer of the network as attenuation was introduced at the physical layer of the network. The network performance was measured for four groups of tests running over TCP and UDP. Various scripts emulating different network applications were used. Ultimately the performance was evaluated at different optical power levels, based on throughput, transaction rate, response time, and lost data. Additionally, the bit error rate characterization of the attenuated optical fiber link was analyzed. Ultimately, performance of the fiber optic ATM-based computer network as seen by the user was correlated with optical power degradation introduced in the physical layer. A decrease in performance was found as attenuation was increased, even in the range of "normal" operating conditions. As expected, TCP, although not immune to soft failures, performed better than UDP. A description of the investigation, tests, scripts, methods and results are included.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1999

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Kostic, Igor Aleksandar
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Jacobs, Ira
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Midkiff, Scott F.
  • Claus, Richard O.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-090299-161911
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34896

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Kostic, Igor Aleksandar. Fiber-Based ATM Computer Network Performance and Survivability Issues under Soft Failure Conditions. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/34896