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Analytical methods for network congestion control
Low S., Morgan & Claypool Publishers, San Rafael, CA, 2017. 214 pp. Type: Book (978-1-627057-33-2)
Date Reviewed: May 3 2018

This is one of the most comprehensive books I have read recently, and it is a must-read for a serious network designer. This book uses a step-by-step approach to build a mathematical model to understand, design, and fix network congestion. This book is not for the fainthearted because it forces the reader to work on the math with each problem.

While I tried my best to work through each problem, I will admit that I got as far as halfway through chapter 3 in the time allotted for this review.

The mathematical notation used in the book could have been more elaborate. On certain occasions, I found myself trying to look up symbols. The usage is consistent throughout the book, though, so the flow becomes easier with each chapter.

Chapter 1 builds the mathematical foundation for a network model. The comparative analysis of network congestion protocols like TCP Fast, TCP Reno, and TCP Vega helps the reader to appreciate the merits of each approach and their historical evolution. The treatment of explaining the algorithms using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is exquisite.

Chapter 2 takes the reader through achieving maximum utilization in a network by understanding its equilibrium point. The analysis will be useful for any class on cooperative resource utilization and for scheduling algorithm designers attempting to achieve maximum efficiency. The notion of assigning fairness using utility functions is very well explained.

Skimming through chapters 3 through 5, I appreciate the author’s attempt at explaining complexity in achieving stability around the equilibrium point for various network models. While chapters 3 through 5 spend time on the Lyapunov stability theorems that assume no feedback delay, chapter 6 focuses on the Nyquist method that incorporates feedback delay. The discussion around passivity in the feedback loop has parallels to control theory feedback systems. A possible discussion of this could help readers familiar with active/passive control feedback loops.

This book is a must-have for a network theory purist designing a new congestion algorithm or a network architect learning to better utilize/design network resources. Students using this book in a course will certainly gain more appreciation for the mathematical theory behind the algorithms.

Reviewer:  Shyamkumar Iyer Review #: CR146014 (1807-0346)
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