Simple models and their limits for TCP/IP network analysis and dimensioning

The analysis and design of TCP/IP networks is a key component in the development of the Internet. We consider how simple analytical modelling of the key network elements can yield sufficiently accurate performance results by means of simulations with actual TCP sources. The defined modelling approach, named the fixed point model, is exploited to state a dimensioning problem of an IP network dominated by TCP traffic. The procedure for the TCP/IP network capacity dimensioning is based on the definition of a user satisfaction index, suitable for a best-effort scenario.