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Clever solution to a unique problem! > So how does this help with queue oscillation? Simple: We generate a few extra "spare" combination packets, so that we no

by walrus 12y ago

Clever solution to a unique problem! > So how does this help with queue oscillation? Simple: We generate a few extra "spare" combination packets, so that we now have more equations than variables. This means we can afford to lose a few combination packets in overflowing queues or elsewhere – and still get all of our original packets back. If I understand correctly, this would also work with a more traditional coding scheme (block coding or convolutional coding). I'm curious if there are plans to take advantage of the properties of network codes in the future.

darkmighty 12y ago
"Network code" as described here isn't the academic definition, I think he's just describing colloquially "i'm using a code in my network". The technical definition is a Packet Erasure Channel [1], which any erasure code [2] can deal with. Network coding is a more unexplored technique where routers in the network combine packets in various ways that are better than regular routing: see the example at [3]. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_erasure_channel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_erasure_channel [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasure_code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasure_code [3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_network_coding#The_butterfly_network_example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_network_coding#The_butte...
- walrus 12y ago
  The vendor mentioned in the article, Steinwurf ApS, says on their website that "Our products are based on Random Linear Network Coding[...]" [1]. In this case, it looks like they're using it as an erasure code, though. [1] http://steinwurf.com/technology/ http://steinwurf.com/technology/
- Nimi 12y ago
  Their phrasing appears to state they use TCP/NC, a network coding-based variant of TCP introduced in an academic paper by (some of) the same people behind this initiative: http://arxiv.org/pdf/0809.5022.pdf http://arxiv.org/pdf/0809.5022.pdf

by walrus 12y ago

darkmighty 12y ago

"Network code" as described here isn't the academic definition, I think he's just describing colloquially "i'm using a code in my network". The technical definition is a Packet Erasure Channel [1], which any erasure code [2] can deal with. Network coding is a more unexplored technique where routers in the network combine packets in various ways that are better than regular routing: see the example at [3]. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_erasure_channel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_erasure_channel [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasure_code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasure_code [3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_network_coding#The_butterfly_network_example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_network_coding#The_butte...

walrus 12y ago
The vendor mentioned in the article, Steinwurf ApS, says on their website that "Our products are based on Random Linear Network Coding[...]" [1]. In this case, it looks like they're using it as an erasure code, though. [1] http://steinwurf.com/technology/ http://steinwurf.com/technology/
Nimi 12y ago
Their phrasing appears to state they use TCP/NC, a network coding-based variant of TCP introduced in an academic paper by (some of) the same people behind this initiative: http://arxiv.org/pdf/0809.5022.pdf http://arxiv.org/pdf/0809.5022.pdf