Framework for evaluating TCP/IP extensions in communication protocols

Abstract

Most of the network and transport layer protocols had been designed with consideration for future extensions. As a result, variable-length sections had been devised in order to expand the fixed-size headers and allow the annotation of packets with metadata, known as protocol options. Although numerous enhancements such as MultiPath-TCP are based on these mechanisms, their support in the Internet is still generally considered to be opaque. In this paper we introduce an extendable packet annotation tool for IP, TCP and UDP options, based on NetfilterQueue. Using this tool in conjunction with our testing framework that can incorporate multiple regions, we conducted a series of experiments to determine the acceptance rate of each type of option and whether new extensions will be readily supported in the Internet. Additionally, we discuss particularities of cloud provider infrastructures in dealing with certain options.