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RFC · TransportStandard explained

RFC 3168: ECN: Signalling congestion without packet loss

Summary

RFC 3168 lets routers mark congestion in IP packets before queues have to drop packets. Packet loss is an expensive congestion signal and not strictly necessary. Cooperative endpoints can significantly reduce latency under load.

Ideas

  • Endpoints negotiate ECN support.
  • Routers mark packets instead of dropping them early.
  • Senders reduce their rate after marked feedback.

Facts

  • RFC 3168 replaces RFC 2481.

Remarks

  • RFC 3168 has the status “Proposed Standard”; current errata and successor documents should also be checked.

Recommendations

  • Enable ECN in a controlled way and watch path compatibility.
  • Measure queueing latency in addition to throughput.

References

Read the RFC at the RFC Editor

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