From 4bfd864f10b68b71482b35c818559068ef8d5797 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Thomas Voss Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2024 20:54:24 +0100 Subject: doc: Add RFC documents --- doc/rfc/rfc6534.txt | 1179 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 1179 insertions(+) create mode 100644 doc/rfc/rfc6534.txt (limited to 'doc/rfc/rfc6534.txt') diff --git a/doc/rfc/rfc6534.txt b/doc/rfc/rfc6534.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e91576 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/rfc/rfc6534.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1179 @@ + + + + + + +Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) N. Duffield +Request for Comments: 6534 AT&T Labs-Research +Category: Standards Track A. Morton +ISSN: 2070-1721 AT&T Labs + J. Sommers + Colgate University + May 2012 + + + Loss Episode Metrics for IP Performance Metrics (IPPM) + +Abstract + + The IETF has developed a one-way packet loss metric that measures the + loss rate on a Poisson and Periodic probe streams between two hosts. + However, the impact of packet loss on applications is, in general, + sensitive not just to the average loss rate but also to the way in + which packet losses are distributed in loss episodes (i.e., maximal + sets of consecutively lost probe packets). This document defines + one-way packet loss episode metrics, specifically, the frequency and + average duration of loss episodes and a probing methodology under + which the loss episode metrics are to be measured. + +Status of This Memo + + This is an Internet Standards Track document. + + This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force + (IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has + received public review and has been approved for publication by the + Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information on + Internet Standards is available in Section 2 of RFC 5741. + + Information about the current status of this document, any errata, + and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at + http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6534. + +Copyright Notice + + Copyright (c) 2012 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the + document authors. All rights reserved. + + This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal + Provisions Relating to IETF Documents + (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of + publication of this document. Please review these documents + carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect + to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 1] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of + the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as + described in the Simplified BSD License. + + This document may contain material from IETF Documents or IETF + Contributions published or made publicly available before November + 10, 2008. The person(s) controlling the copyright in some of this + material may not have granted the IETF Trust the right to allow + modifications of such material outside the IETF Standards Process. + Without obtaining an adequate license from the person(s) controlling + the copyright in such materials, this document may not be modified + outside the IETF Standards Process, and derivative works of it may + not be created outside the IETF Standards Process, except to format + it for publication as an RFC or to translate it into languages other + than English. + +Table of Contents + + 1. Introduction ....................................................4 + 1.1. Background and Motivation ..................................4 + 1.1.1. Requirements Language ...............................5 + 1.2. Loss Episode Metrics and Bi-Packet Probes ..................5 + 1.3. Outline and Contents .......................................6 + 2. Singleton Definition for Type-P-One-way Bi-Packet Loss ..........7 + 2.1. Metric Name ................................................7 + 2.2. Metric Parameters ..........................................7 + 2.3. Metric Units ...............................................7 + 2.4. Metric Definition ..........................................7 + 2.5. Discussion .................................................8 + 2.6. Methodologies ..............................................8 + 2.7. Errors and Uncertainties ...................................8 + 2.8. Reporting the Metric .......................................8 + 3. General Definition of Samples for + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss ...................................8 + 3.1. Metric Name ................................................9 + 3.2. Metric Parameters ..........................................9 + 3.3. Metric Units ...............................................9 + 3.4. Metric Definition ..........................................9 + 3.5. Discussion .................................................9 + 3.6. Methodologies .............................................10 + 3.7. Errors and Uncertainties ..................................10 + 3.8. Reporting the Metric ......................................10 + 4. An Active Probing Methodology for Bi-Packet Loss ...............10 + 4.1. Metric Name ...............................................10 + 4.2. Metric Parameters .........................................10 + 4.3. Metric Units ..............................................11 + 4.4. Metric Definition .........................................11 + 4.5. Discussion ................................................11 + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 2] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + 4.6. Methodologies .............................................11 + 4.7. Errors and Uncertainties ..................................12 + 4.8. Reporting the Metric ......................................12 + 5. Loss Episode Proto-Metrics .....................................12 + 5.1. Loss-Pair-Counts ..........................................13 + 5.2. Bi-Packet-Loss-Ratio ......................................13 + 5.3. Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode-Duration-Number ....................13 + 5.4. Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode-Frequency-Number ...................13 + 6. Loss Episode Metrics Derived from Bi-Packet Loss Probing .......14 + 6.1. Geometric Stream: Loss Ratio ..............................14 + 6.1.1. Metric Name ........................................14 + 6.1.2. Metric Parameters ..................................14 + 6.1.3. Metric Units .......................................15 + 6.1.4. Metric Definition ..................................15 + 6.1.5. Discussion .........................................15 + 6.1.6. Methodologies ......................................15 + 6.1.7. Errors and Uncertainties ...........................15 + 6.1.8. Reporting the Metric ...............................15 + 6.2. Geometric Stream: Loss Episode Duration ...................16 + 6.2.1. Metric Name ........................................16 + 6.2.2. Metric Parameters ..................................16 + 6.2.3. Metric Units .......................................16 + 6.2.4. Metric Definition ..................................16 + 6.2.5. Discussion .........................................16 + 6.2.6. Methodologies ......................................16 + 6.2.7. Errors and Uncertainties ...........................17 + 6.2.8. Reporting the Metric ...............................17 + 6.3. Geometric Stream: Loss Episode Frequency ..................17 + 6.3.1. Metric Name ........................................17 + 6.3.2. Metric Parameters ..................................17 + 6.3.3. Metric Units .......................................17 + 6.3.4. Metric Definition ..................................18 + 6.3.5. Discussion .........................................18 + 6.3.6. Methodologies ......................................18 + 6.3.7. Errors and Uncertainties ...........................18 + 6.3.8. Reporting the Metric ...............................18 + 7. Applicability of Loss Episode Metrics ..........................18 + 7.1. Relation to Gilbert Model .................................18 + 8. Security Considerations ........................................19 + 9. References .....................................................20 + 9.1. Normative References ......................................20 + 9.2. Informative References ....................................20 + + + + + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 3] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + +1. Introduction + +1.1. Background and Motivation + + Packet loss in the Internet is a complex phenomenon due to the bursty + nature of traffic and congestion processes, influenced by both end- + users and applications and the operation of transport protocols such + as TCP. For these reasons, the simplest model of packet loss -- the + single parameter Bernoulli (independent) loss model -- does not + represent the complexity of packet loss over periods of time. + Correspondingly, a single loss metric -- the average packet loss + ratio over some period of time -- arising, e.g., from a stream of + Poisson probes as in [RFC2680] is not sufficient to determine the + effect of packet loss on traffic in general. + + Moving beyond single parameter loss models, Markovian and Markov- + modulated loss models involving transitions between a good and bad + state, each with an associated loss rate, have been proposed by + Gilbert [Gilbert] and more generally by Elliot [Elliot]. In + principle, Markovian models can be formulated over state spaces + involving patterns of loss of any desired number of packets. + However, further increase in the size of the state space makes such + models cumbersome both for parameter estimation (accuracy decreases) + and prediction in practice (due to computational complexity and + sensitivity to parameter inaccuracy). In general, the relevance and + importance of particular models can change in time, e.g., in response + to the advent of new applications and services. For this reason, we + are drawn to empirical metrics that do not depend on a particular + model for their interpretation. + + An empirical measure of packet loss complexity, the index of + dispersion of counts (IDC), comprise, for each t >0, the ratio v(t) / + a(t) of the variance v(t) and average a(t) of the number of losses + over successive measurement windows of a duration t. However, a full + characterization of packet loss over time requires specification of + the IDC for each window size t>0. + + In the standards arena, loss pattern sample metrics are defined in + [RFC3357]. Following the Gilbert-Elliot model, burst metrics + specific for Voice over IP (VoIP) that characterize complete episodes + of lost, transmitted, and discarded packets are defined in [RFC3611]. + + The above considerations motivate the formulation of empirical + metrics of one-way packet loss that provide the simplest + generalization of [RFC2680] (which is widely adopted but only defines + a single loss-to-total ratio metric). The metrics defined here + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 4] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + capture deviations from independent packet loss in a robust model- + independent manner. The document also defines efficient measurement + methodologies for these metrics. + +1.1.1. Requirements Language + + The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", + "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this + document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 [RFC2119]. + +1.2. Loss Episode Metrics and Bi-Packet Probes + + The losses experienced by the packet stream can be viewed as + occurring in loss episodes, i.e., a maximal set of consecutively lost + packets. This memo describes one-way loss episode metrics: their + frequency and average duration. Although the average loss ratio can + be expressed in terms of these quantities, they go further in + characterizing the statistics of the patterns of packet loss within + the stream of probes. This is useful information in understanding + the effect of packet losses on application performance, since + different applications can have different sensitivities to patterns + of loss, being sensitive not only to the long-term average loss rate, + but how losses are distributed in time. As an example, MPEG video + traffic may be sensitive to loss involving the I-frame in a group of + pictures, but further losses within an episode of sufficiently short + duration have no further impact; the damage is already done. + + The loss episode metrics presented here have the following useful + properties: + + 1. the metrics are empirical and do not depend on an underlying + model; e.g., the loss process is not assumed to be Markovian. On + the other hand, it turns out that the metrics of this memo can be + related to the special case of the Gilbert Model parameters; see + Section 7. + + 2. the metric units can be directly compared with applications or + user requirements or tolerance for network loss performance, in + the frequency and duration of loss episodes, as well as the usual + packet loss ratio, which can be recovered from the loss episode + metrics upon dividing the average loss episode duration by the + loss episode frequency. + + 3. the metrics provide the smallest possible increment in complexity + beyond, but in the spirit of, the IP Performance Metrics (IPPM) + average packet loss ratio metrics [RFC2680], i.e., moving from a + single metric (average packet loss ratio) to a pair of metrics + (loss episode frequency and average loss episode duration). + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 5] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + The document also describes a probing methodology under which loss + episode metrics are to be measured. The methodology comprises + sending probe packets in pairs, where packets within each probe pair + have a fixed separation, and the time between pairs takes the form of + a geometric distributed number multiplied by the same separation. + This can be regarded a generalization of Poisson probing where the + probes are pairs rather than single packets as in [RFC2680], and also + of geometric probing described in [RFC2330]. However, it should be + distinguished from back-to-back packet pairs whose change in + separation on traversing a link is used to probe bandwidth. In this + document, the separation between the packets in a pair is the + temporal resolution at which different loss episodes are to be + distinguished. The methodology does not measure episodes of loss of + consecutive background packets on the measured path. One key feature + of this methodology is its efficiency: it estimates the average + length of loss episodes without directly measuring the complete + episodes themselves. Instead, this information is encoded in the + observed relative frequencies of the four possible outcomes arising + from the loss or successful transmission of each of the two packets + of the probe pairs. This is distinct from the approach of [RFC3611], + which reports on directly measured episodes. + + The metrics defined in this memo are "derived metrics", according to + Section 6.1 of [RFC2330] (the IPPM framework). They are based on the + singleton loss metric defined in Section 2 of [RFC2680] . + +1.3. Outline and Contents + + o Section 2 defines the fundamental singleton metric for the + possible outcomes of a probe pair: Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss. + + o Section 3 defines sample sets of this metric derived from a + general probe stream: Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Stream. + + o Section 4 defines the prime example of the Bi-Packet-Loss-Stream + metrics, specifically Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric- + Stream arising from the geometric stream of packet-pair probes + that was described informally in Section 1. + + o Section 5 defines loss episode proto-metrics that summarize the + outcomes from a stream metrics as an intermediate step to forming + the loss episode metrics; they need not be reported in general. + + o Section 6 defines the final loss episode metrics that are the + focus of this memo, the new metrics: + + * Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Episode- + Duration, the average duration, in seconds, of a loss episode. + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 6] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + * Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Episode- + Frequency, the average frequency, per second, at which loss + episodes start. + + * Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Ratio, which is + the average packet loss ratio metric arising from the geometric + stream probing methodology + + o Section 7 details applications and relations to existing loss + models. + +2. Singleton Definition for Type-P-One-way Bi-Packet Loss + +2.1. Metric Name + + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss + +2.2. Metric Parameters + + o Src, the IP address of a source host + + o Dst, the IP address of a destination host + + o T1, a sending time of the first packet + + o T2, a sending time of the second packet, with T2>T1 + + o F, a selection function defining unambiguously the two packets + from the stream selected for the metric + + o P, the specification of the packet type, over and above the source + and destination addresses + +2.3. Metric Units + + A Loss Pair is pair (l1, l2) where each of l1 and l2 is a binary + value 0 or 1, where 0 signifies successful transmission of a packet + and 1 signifies loss. + + The metric unit of Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss is a Loss Pair. + +2.4. Metric Definition + + 1. "The Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss with parameters (Src, Dst, T1, + T2, F, P) is (1,1)" means that Src sent the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T1 and the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T2>T1 and that neither packet was + received at Dst. + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 7] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + 2. "The Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss with parameters (Src, Dst, T1, + T2, F, P) is (1,0)" means that Src sent the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T1 and the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T2>T1 and that the first packet was + not received at Dst, and the second packet was received at Dst + + 3. "The Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss with parameters (Src, Dst, T1, + T2, F, P) is (0,1)" means that Src sent the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T1 and the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T2>T1 and that the first packet was + received at Dst, and the second packet was not received at Dst + + 4. "The Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss with parameters (Src, Dst, T1, + T2, F, P) is (0,0)" means that Src sent the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T1 and the first bit of a Type-P + packet to Dst at wire-time T2>T1 and that both packets were + received at Dst. + +2.5. Discussion + + The purpose of the selection function is to specify exactly which + packets are to be used for measurement. The notion is taken from + Section 2.5 of [RFC3393], where examples are discussed. + +2.6. Methodologies + + The methodologies related to the Type-P-One-way-Packet-Loss metric in + Section 2.6 of [RFC2680] are similar for the Type-P-One-way-Bi- + Packet-Loss metric described above. In particular, the methodologies + described in RFC 2680 apply to both packets of the pair. + +2.7. Errors and Uncertainties + + Sources of error for the Type-P-One-way-Packet-Loss metric in Section + 2.7 of [RFC2680] apply to each packet of the pair for the Type-P-One- + way-Bi-Packet-Loss metric. + +2.8. Reporting the Metric + + Refer to Section 2.8 of [RFC2680]. + +3. General Definition of Samples for Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss + + Given the singleton metric for Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss, we now + define examples of samples of singletons. The basic idea is as + follows. We first specify a set of times T1 < T2 <... 0 + + o 0 if N(0,1) + N(1,0) + N(1,1) = 0 (no probe packets lost) + + o Undefined if N(0,1) + N(1,0) + N(0,0) = 0 (all probe packets lost) + + Note N(0,1) + N(1,0) is zero if there are no transitions between loss + and no-loss outcomes. + +5.4. Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode-Frequency-Number + + The Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode-Frequency-Number associated with a set of + n Loss Pairs L1,,,,Ln is defined in terms of their Loss-Pair-Counts + as Bi-Packet-Loss-Ratio / Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode-Duration-Number, + when this can be defined, specifically, it is as follows: + + o (N(1,0) + N(1,1)) * (N(0,1) + N(1,0)) / (2*N(1,1) + N(0,1) + + N(1,0) ) / n if N(0,1) + N(1,0) > 0 + + o 0 if N(0,1) + N(1,0) + N(1,1) = 0 (no probe packets lost) + + o 1 if N(0,1) + N(1,0) + N(0,0) = 0 (all probe packets lost) + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 13] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + +6. Loss Episode Metrics Derived from Bi-Packet Loss Probing + + Metrics for the time frequency and time duration of loss episodes are + now defined as functions of the set of n Loss Pairs L1,....,Ln. + Although a loss episode is defined as a maximal set of successive + lost packets, the loss episode metrics are not defined directly in + terms of the sequential patterns of packet loss exhibited by Loss + Pairs. This is because samples, including Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet- + Loss-Geometric-Stream, generally do not report all lost packets in + each episode. Instead, the metrics are defined as functions of the + Loss-Pair-Counts of the sample, for reasons that are now described. + + Consider an idealized Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream + sample in which the launch probability q =1. It is shown in [SBDR08] + that the average number of packets in a loss episode of this ideal + sample is exactly the Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode-Duration derived from + its set of Loss Pairs. Note this computation makes no reference to + the position of lost packet in the sequence of probes. + + A general Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream sample with + launch probability q < 1, independently samples, with probability q, + each Loss Pair of an idealized sample. On average, the Loss-Pair- + Counts (if normalized by the total number of pairs) will be the same + as in the idealized sample. The loss episode metrics in the general + case are thus estimators of those for the idealized case; the + statistical properties of this estimation, including a derivation of + the estimation variance, is provided in [SBDR08]. + +6.1. Geometric Stream: Loss Ratio + +6.1.1. Metric Name + + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Ratio + +6.1.2. Metric Parameters + + o Src, the IP address of a source host + + o Dst, the IP address of a destination host + + o T0, the randomly selected starting time [RFC3432] for periodic + launch opportunities + + o d, the time spacing between potential launch times, Ti and T(i+1) + + o n, a count of potential measurement instants + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 14] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + o q, a launch probability + + o F, a selection function defining unambiguously the two packets + from the stream selected for the metric + + o P, the specification of the packet type, over and above the source + and destination address + +6.1.3. Metric Units + + A decimal number in the interval [0,1] + +6.1.4. Metric Definition + + The result obtained by computing the Bi-Packet-Loss-Ratio over a + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream sample with the metric + parameters. + +6.1.5. Discussion + + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Ratio estimates the + fraction of packets lost from the geometric stream of Bi-Packet + probes. + +6.1.6. Methodologies + + Refer to Section 4.6. + +6.1.7. Errors and Uncertainties + + Because Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream is sampled in + general (when the launch probability q <1), the metrics described in + this section can be regarded as statistical estimators of the + corresponding idealized version corresponding to q = 1. Estimation + variance as it applies to Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric- + Stream-Loss-Ratio is described in [SBDR08]. + + For other issues, refer to Section 4.7 + +6.1.8. Reporting the Metric + + Refer to Section 4.8. + + + + + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 15] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + +6.2. Geometric Stream: Loss Episode Duration + +6.2.1. Metric Name + + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Episode-Duration + +6.2.2. Metric Parameters + + o Src, the IP address of a source host + + o Dst, the IP address of a destination host + + o T0, the randomly selected starting time [RFC3432] for periodic + launch opportunities + + o d, the time spacing between potential launch times, Ti and T(i+1) + + o n, a count of potential measurement instants + + o q, a launch probability + + o F, a selection function defining unambiguously the two packets + from the stream selected for the metric + + o P, the specification of the packet type, over and above the source + and destination address + +6.2.3. Metric Units + + A non-negative number of seconds + +6.2.4. Metric Definition + + The result obtained by computing the Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode-Duration- + Number over a Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream sample + with the metric parameters, then multiplying the result by the launch + spacing parameter d. + +6.2.5. Discussion + + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Episode-Duration + estimates the average duration of a loss episode, measured in + seconds. The duration measured in packets is obtained by dividing + the metric value by the packet launch spacing parameter d. + +6.2.6. Methodologies + + Refer to Section 4.6. + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 16] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + +6.2.7. Errors and Uncertainties + + Because Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream is sampled in + general (when the launch probability q <1), the metrics described in + this section can be regarded as statistical estimators of the + corresponding idealized version corresponding to q = 1. Estimation + variance as it applies to Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric- + Stream-Episode-Duration is described in [SBDR08]. + + For other issues, refer to Section 4.7 + +6.2.8. Reporting the Metric + + Refer to Section 4.8. + +6.3. Geometric Stream: Loss Episode Frequency + +6.3.1. Metric Name + + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Episode-Frequency + +6.3.2. Metric Parameters + + o Src, the IP address of a source host + + o Dst, the IP address of a destination host + + o T0, the randomly selected starting time [RFC3432] for periodic + launch opportunities + + o d, the time spacing between potential launch times, Ti and T(i+1) + + o n, a count of potential measurement instants + + o q, a launch probability + + o F, a selection function defining unambiguously the two packets + from the stream selected for the metric + + o P, the specification of the packet type, over and above the source + and destination address + +6.3.3. Metric Units + + A positive number + + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 17] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + +6.3.4. Metric Definition + + The result obtained by computing the Bi-Packet-Loss-Episode- + Frequency-Number over a Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric- + Stream sample with the metric parameters, then dividing the result by + the launch spacing parameter d. + +6.3.5. Discussion + + Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Episode-Frequency + estimates the average frequency per unit time with which loss + episodes start (or finish). The frequency relative to the count of + potential probe launches is obtained by multiplying the metric value + by the packet launch spacing parameter d. + +6.3.6. Methodologies + + Refer to Section 4.6. + +6.3.7. Errors and Uncertainties + + Because Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream is sampled in + general (when the launch probability q <1), the metrics described in + this section can be regarded as statistical estimators of the + corresponding idealized version corresponding to q = 1. Estimation + variance as it applies to Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric- + Stream-Episode-Frequency is described in [SBDR08]. + + For other issues, refer to Section 4.7 + +6.3.8. Reporting the Metric + + Refer to Section 4.8. + +7. Applicability of Loss Episode Metrics + +7.1. Relation to Gilbert Model + + The general Gilbert-Elliot model is a discrete time Markov chain over + two states, Good (g) and Bad (b), each with its own independent + packet loss ratio. In the simplest case, the Good loss ratio is 0, + while the Bad loss ratio is 1. Correspondingly, there are two + independent parameters, the Markov transition probabilities P(g|b) = + 1- P(b|b) and P(b|g) = 1- P(g|g), where P(i|j) is the probability to + transition from state j and step n to state i at step n+1. With + these parameters, the fraction of steps spent in the bad state is + P(b|g)/(P(b|g) + P(g|b)), while the average duration of a sojourn in + the bad state is 1/P(g|b) steps. + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 18] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + + Now identify the steps of the Markov chain with the possible sending + times of packets for a Type-P-One-way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream + with launch spacing d. Suppose the loss episode metrics Type-P-One- + way-Bi-Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Ratio and Type-P-One-way-Bi- + Packet-Loss-Geometric-Stream-Episode-Duration take the values r and + m, respectively. Then, from the discussion in Section 6.1.5, the + following can be equated: + + r = P(b|g)/(P(b|g) + P(g|b)) and m/d = 1/P(g|b). + + These relationships can be inverted in order to recover the Gilbert + model parameters: + + P(g|b) = d/m and P(b|g)=d/m/(1/r - 1) + +8. Security Considerations + + Conducting Internet measurements raises both security and privacy + concerns. This memo does not specify an implementation of the + metrics, so it does not directly affect the security of the Internet + or of applications that run on the Internet. However,implementations + of these metrics must be mindful of security and privacy concerns. + + There are two types of security concerns: potential harm caused by + the measurements and potential harm to the measurements. The + measurements could cause harm because they are active and inject + packets into the network. The measurement parameters MUST be + carefully selected so that the measurements inject trivial amounts of + additional traffic into the networks they measure. If they inject + "too much" traffic, they can skew the results of the measurement and, + in extreme cases, cause congestion and denial of service. The + measurements themselves could be harmed by routers giving measurement + traffic a different priority than "normal" traffic, or by an attacker + injecting artificial measurement traffic. If routers can recognize + measurement traffic and treat it separately, the measurements may not + reflect actual user traffic. If an attacker injects artificial + traffic that is accepted as legitimate, the loss rate will be + artificially lowered. Therefore, the measurement methodologies + SHOULD include appropriate techniques to reduce the probability that + measurement traffic can be distinguished from "normal" traffic. + Authentication techniques, such as digital signatures, may be used + where appropriate to guard against injected traffic attacks. The + privacy concerns of network measurement are limited by the active + measurements described in this memo: they involve no release of user + data. + + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 19] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + +9. References + +9.1. Normative References + + [RFC2680] Almes, G., Kalidindi, S., and M. Zekauskas, "A One-way + Packet Loss Metric for IPPM", RFC 2680, September 1999. + + [RFC3393] Demichelis, C. and P. Chimento, "IP Packet Delay Variation + Metric for IP Performance Metrics (IPPM)", RFC 3393, + November 2002. + + [RFC3611] Friedman, T., Caceres, R., and A. Clark, "RTP Control + Protocol Extended Reports (RTCP XR)", RFC 3611, + November 2003. + + [RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate + Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997. + + [RFC3432] Raisanen, V., Grotefeld, G., and A. Morton, "Network + performance measurement with periodic streams", RFC 3432, + November 2002. + +9.2. Informative References + + [RFC2330] Paxson, V., Almes, G., Mahdavi, J., and M. Mathis, + "Framework for IP Performance Metrics", RFC 2330, + May 1998. + + [RFC3357] Koodli, R. and R. Ravikanth, "One-way Loss Pattern Sample + Metrics", RFC 3357, August 2002. + + [SBDR08] IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, 16(2): 307-320, "A + Geometric Approach to Improving Active Packet Loss + Measurement", 2008. + + [Gilbert] Gilbert, E.N., "Capacity of a Burst-Noise Channel. Bell + System Technical Journal 39 pp 1253-1265", 1960. + + [Elliot] Elliott, E.O., "Estimates of Error Rates for Codes on + Burst-Noise Channels. Bell System Technical Journal 42 pp + 1977-1997", 1963. + + + + + + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 20] + +RFC 6534 Loss Episode Metrics for IPPM May 2012 + + +Authors' Addresses + + Nick Duffield + AT&T Labs-Research + 180 Park Avenue + Florham Park, NJ 07932 + USA + + Phone: +1 973 360 8726 + Fax: +1 973 360 8871 + EMail: duffield@research.att.com + URI: http://www.research.att.com/people/Duffield_Nicholas_G + + + Al Morton + AT&T Labs + 200 Laurel Avenue South + Middletown,, NJ 07748 + USA + + Phone: +1 732 420 1571 + Fax: +1 732 368 1192 + EMail: acmorton@att.com + URI: http://home.comcast.net/~acmacm/ + + + Joel Sommers + Colgate University + 304 McGregory Hall + Hamilton, NY 13346 + USA + + Phone: +1 315 228 7587 + Fax: + EMail: jsommers@colgate.edu + URI: http://cs.colgate.edu/faculty/jsommers + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Duffield, et al. Standards Track [Page 21] + -- cgit v1.2.3