January 28, 2010

Understanding how flow control operates at the Transport layer


A quick overview of the Transport layer and its function:

  • Reliable networking is used at the transport layer
    • Reliable networking = using acknowledgements, sequencing, and flow control in the network.
  • Segments and reassembles data into a data stream from the upper application layer and unites the information into the same data stream for further processing.

Flow Control

  • Flow control prevents a sending host on one side of the connection from overflowing the buffers in the receiving host.
    • an event that can result in data loss
  • Reliable data transports and employs a connection oriented communications sessions between systems and the protocols involved, to ensure that the following will be achieved:
    • Segments delivered are acknowledged back to the sender upon their reception.
    • Any segments not acknowledged are re-transmitted.
    • Segments are sequenced back into their proper order upon arrival at their destination.
    • A manageable data flow is maintained in order to:
      • avoid traffic congestion
      • overloading
      • data loss
  • The purpose of flow control is to provide means for the receiver to be able to govern the out of data sent by the sender.

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