More benchmarks on using FEC to deal with higher TCP packet loss rates

In a previous post (available here), we shared some benchmark results where we compared the effect on throughput of using TCP in a lossy channel, to using TCP in a lossy channel with a Rely tunnel. We showed that at 1% packet loss, the network using a Rely FEC tunnel to repair losses did not suffer from bandwidth throttling and could maintain maximum throughput for the duration of the transmission, whereas using TCP alone gave an average of about 4.5Mbit/s out of an available 10Mbit/s of bandwidth.

Here we wanted to share some more results for the same benchmarking setup, but using a packet loss rate of 5%, instead of 1%.

The benchmarking results:

The above graph shows throughput over time for the TCP network experiencing 5% packet loss. Compared to the previous results at 1% packet loss, we lose even more throughput in this scenario. the TCP network can rarely transfer at 3 Mbit/s, with throughput often dropping to below 0.5Mbit/s and averaging somewhere in the region of 1.5 Mbit/s. Essentially, 85% of the network capacity is wasted when the TCP network is left to deal with packet loss on its own., and with the TCP packet loss rate remaining very high applications requiring low latency connectivity like voice, video, SD-WAN and gaming, will be severely impaired.

Now lets examine the performance of the same network with 5% packet loss, but upgraded with a Rely FEC tunnel using a 20% repair rate:

As with the previous results at 1% packet loss. this network also directs traffic over a tunnel implementing Rely FEC, so that TCP will rarely be exposed to packet losses, which are repaired on the fly by the FEC.

Throughput is again consistently at 10 Mbit/s, and none of the network bandwidth is wasted, even with the higher levels of packet loss

The conclusion:

Where higher levels of packet loss occur consistently or sporadically over a network using TCP to get data across the network, our Rely low latency FEC can provide a serious upgrade in terms of both performance and efficiency. Networks and applications running over such an upgraded network can run seamlessly with faster, lower latency connectivity, and the highest possible quality of service for the end user.

Learn more:

To learn more about our low latency FEC solutions and how we can help you fix packet loss issues for your applications and services, contact us and we’ll be happy to share our FEC expertise and help you try out our software.

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