6 ms·

>Also, dropped packets isn't the end of the world. In TCP at least, the packets just get resent. Depends on what the application is, and how many are being dro

>Also, dropped packets isn't the end of the world. In TCP at least, the packets just get resent. Depends on what the application is, and how many are being dropped. True, standard HTTP can in theory even still work with 99% drop rate (if you're willing to wait long enough) but Netflix, multiplayer games, and any other application you can think of that demands either high-bandwidth or low-latency aren't going to work. As far as those applications are concerned, it is the end of the world.

diminoten 12y ago
Streaming services utilize a buffer, so no, it isn't the end of the world if packets are dropped. The buffer gets used while the packets get retransmitted. As for multiplayer games, most use UDP, and the ones that use TCP tend to use some tricks that allow for a certain amount of latency. This is why the Internet isn't currently down, even though this is currently a problem. No widely used Internet-based technology can't handle dropped packets. Zero. None. Besides, Netflix is a unique case, as it constitutes 30% or so of all Internet traffic. You can't list Netflix as one of many, because it stands alone.
- CocaKoala 12y ago
  Twitch.tv, justin.tv, youtube. That's off the top of my head and I'm confident there are more than I'm missing. There are plenty of video streaming services; not all of them are as large as netflix, but to say "Netflix is a unique case" is pretty weird. And dropping packets isn't the end of the world, but it's certainly not good. Should we just ignore a problem just because the world isn't ending?
  - diminoten 12y ago
    Netflix is a unique case. No one even comes close to network usage. Not even close. It's a very unique case, given its volume. And I don't know who here said to ignore this problem, but they're wrong too. It's just that this isn't the "It’s insulting." problem the submission tries to paint it as. His solution is to "throw the bums out". Are you kidding me? Why are we wasting our time reading and talking about this tripe?
    - CocaKoala 12y ago
      Can you clarify for me why I shouldn't feel insulted that I'm paying for a certain level of service from my ISP, and yet not receiving that service while they insist that it's not their fault?
      - diminoten 12y ago
        Because you actually are receiving the level of service you're paying for, you just didn't know what you were paying for when you signed up.
        CocaKoala 12y ago
        In what sense? Are you referring to the "well actually the contract just says you pay for UP TO certain speeds" bullshit?
        diminoten 12y ago
        I'm referring more to the fact that ISPs probably reserve the right to negotiate with peers on their terms in their contracts, not on your terms. You having a month of 720p instead of 1080p Netflix is worth it to the ISPs instead of raising your service prices by $5 bucks every single month.
        CocaKoala 12y ago
        Oh; instead of referring to some bullshit clause in my contract, you're referring to something that's actually irrelevant. That's weird, but okay. I can roll with it. ISPs probably do reserve the right to negotiate with peers on their terms, but I don't care about that because I'm not paying them to have a certain agreement with peers, I'm paying them for a certain quality of service. If they are not providing that service (an example being giving me 720p Netflix instead of 1080p like I have paid for) then that seems like a pretty straightforward contractual violation. I'm paying for service and not receiving it. Netflix is providing the service to the ISP. I am providing my money to the ISP. Why is the ISP excused from holding up their end of the bargain?
- randuser 12y ago
  I have problems using myfreecams.com for live adult video chat because of the high rate of packets being dropped.

diminoten 12y ago

Streaming services utilize a buffer, so no, it isn't the end of the world if packets are dropped. The buffer gets used while the packets get retransmitted. As for multiplayer games, most use UDP, and the ones that use TCP tend to use some tricks that allow for a certain amount of latency. This is why the Internet isn't currently down, even though this is currently a problem. No widely used Internet-based technology can't handle dropped packets. Zero. None. Besides, Netflix is a unique case, as it constitutes 30% or so of all Internet traffic. You can't list Netflix as one of many, because it stands alone.

CocaKoala 12y ago
Twitch.tv, justin.tv, youtube. That's off the top of my head and I'm confident there are more than I'm missing. There are plenty of video streaming services; not all of them are as large as netflix, but to say "Netflix is a unique case" is pretty weird. And dropping packets isn't the end of the world, but it's certainly not good. Should we just ignore a problem just because the world isn't ending?
- diminoten 12y ago
  Netflix is a unique case. No one even comes close to network usage. Not even close. It's a very unique case, given its volume. And I don't know who here said to ignore this problem, but they're wrong too. It's just that this isn't the "It’s insulting." problem the submission tries to paint it as. His solution is to "throw the bums out". Are you kidding me? Why are we wasting our time reading and talking about this tripe?
  - CocaKoala 12y ago
    Can you clarify for me why I shouldn't feel insulted that I'm paying for a certain level of service from my ISP, and yet not receiving that service while they insist that it's not their fault?
    - diminoten 12y ago
      Because you actually are receiving the level of service you're paying for, you just didn't know what you were paying for when you signed up.
      - CocaKoala 12y ago
        In what sense? Are you referring to the "well actually the contract just says you pay for UP TO certain speeds" bullshit?
        diminoten 12y ago
        I'm referring more to the fact that ISPs probably reserve the right to negotiate with peers on their terms in their contracts, not on your terms. You having a month of 720p instead of 1080p Netflix is worth it to the ISPs instead of raising your service prices by $5 bucks every single month.
        CocaKoala 12y ago
        Oh; instead of referring to some bullshit clause in my contract, you're referring to something that's actually irrelevant. That's weird, but okay. I can roll with it. ISPs probably do reserve the right to negotiate with peers on their terms, but I don't care about that because I'm not paying them to have a certain agreement with peers, I'm paying them for a certain quality of service. If they are not providing that service (an example being giving me 720p Netflix instead of 1080p like I have paid for) then that seems like a pretty straightforward contractual violation. I'm paying for service and not receiving it. Netflix is providing the service to the ISP. I am providing my money to the ISP. Why is the ISP excused from holding up their end of the bargain?
randuser 12y ago
I have problems using myfreecams.com for live adult video chat because of the high rate of packets being dropped.