On Load Distribution over Multipath Networks

• Published in: IEEE Communications surveys and tutorials Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 662 - 680
• Main Authors: Prabhavat, S., Nishiyama, H., Ansari, N., Kato, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-01-2012
• Subjects: Ad hoc networks; Bandwidth; Load Balancing; Load Distribution; Load management; Load modeling; Multipath Forwarding; Radiation detectors; Round robin; Routing; Traffic Engineering; Traffic Splitting
• ISSN: 1553-877X
• DOI: 10.1109/SURV.2011.082511.00013

Efficient utilization of network resources, provided by multiple interfaces available on today devices, is critical in facilitating parallel connections through multiple paths. Load distribution strategies in using multiple interfaces for simultaneous data transmission have been studied. This paper presents a thorough literature review of various existing load distribution models, and classifies them in terms of their key functionalities such as traffic splitting and path selection. Based on a number of significant criteria such as the ability to balance load and to maintain packet ordering, along with several other issues, which affect network performance perceived by users, we analyze various examples of existing models, and then compare and identify their exhibited advantages as well as shortcomings.