- bandwidth
The upper limit on the amount of data, typically in Kilobits per
second (Kbps), that can pass through a network connection. Greater
bandwidth indicates faster data transfer capability.
- CDF (Cumulative Distribution Function)
The probability that a variable takes
a value less than or equal to a data value 
.
- datagram protocol
Delivers data in packets the same size as those that were sent, an
example being IP. For example, if one host
sends another host two 50-byte datagrams, that host will receive
two discrete 50-byte datagrams.
Compare with stream protocol.
- DDD (Detailed Design Document)
The document leading on from the SADD that provides a detailed design
of all the modules in the project.
- Debian
A Linux distribution produced by the Debian Project. It is a
collection of programs and system utilities, together with a
Linux kernel, which make up a working Linux system.
- Discrete Fourier Transform
A function used to analyse data that transforms a function of time
into a function of frequency, thus enabling frequency (or spectral)
analysis. Computational methods entitled `Fast Fourier Transform' (FFT)
are generally used to calculate this.
- down state
A state FCM is in whenever it is not loaded and thus not
currently running.
- FCM (Flow Control Module)
The Flow Control Module of this project involving modifications
or additions to the Linux kernel.
- General Users
Users as described in section 2.1.2.
- GTK+ (The GIMP Tool-Kit)
A multi-platform toolkit for creating graphical user
interfaces.
- GUI (Graphical User Interface)
A graphical interface provided for the user. Runs on a
a windows graphical environment such as X.
- host
A computer or other device connected to a network.
- IP (Internet Protocol)
The fundamental Internet protocol, used atop almost any physical
network. The network layer (Layer 3) in the TCP/IP stack
that enables a connectionless internetwork service.
- IP address
A binary value used by the IP protocol to determine how to
deliver packets to their destination hosts.
- kernel
The part of an operating system which works at the lowest level,
controlling access to hardware. It provides a set of system
calls and other interfaces which allow programs to access
networks, files etc. The kernel referred to in this document is
that of Linux, distributed by Linus Torvalds.
- kernel module
A module which can be loaded by the kernel after booting. Such a
module can implement new functionality or modify existing
functionality.
- low bandwidth link
A link between two networks with a lower
bandwidth across it than between any two hosts in either of the
networks it connects; the link is thus a bottleneck,
limiting data transfer speed between two networks.
- link
A network communications channel consisting of a transmission path
and all related devices between a sender and a receiver.
- NETLOG
The format of the log file produced, to be specified exactly in the
SDD.
- occupancy
The number of items in the outgoing queue of a network node at
any given point in time.
- packet
A unit of information transmitted, as a whole, from one device
to another on a network.
- PDF (Probability Distribution Function)
The probability that a variable takes the data value .
A piecewise linear function of the queue size that is used in
the Client's window sizing algorithm. Explained further in the Client's
paper in section 11.
- queue size
See occupancy.
- Receiver
A computer that wishes to receive data from hosts across a
low bandwidth network link.
The Receiver FCM contains a window sizing algorithm
based on the occupancy of the closet Router
providing it data.
- Researchers
Users as described in section 2.1.1.
- round-trip time
The time required for a network communication to travel from the
source to the destination and back. Round-trip time therefore includes
time required for the destination to process the message from the
source and generate a reply.
- Router
A network host providing data to one or more Receivers across a
low-bandwidth network link. It will route packets over
this link as they arrive from hosts on its local network, and send
packets to local hosts as they arrive from the low-bandwidth network
link.
The Router FCM will modify all packets it routes to
include its occupancy.
- SADD (Software Architecture Design Document)
The document specifying the high level design and modular
breakdown of this project.
- SAM (Statistical Analysis Module)
The title of the statistics and analysis package accompanying
FCM.
- SRS (Software Requirements Specification)
This document.
- stream
A series of packets between two hosts.
- stream protocol
Delivers data in variable-length packets whose size have no
necessary relationship with the size
of the packets that were sent, an example being TCP. For
example, if one host sends two
50-byte packets to the other host, that host may receive them as
100 single-byte packets, as a single 100-byte packet, or as a
handful of smaller packets. Further, those 100 bytes might be
sandwiched between data from previous and successive sends.
Compare with datagram protocol.
- TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
The error correcting Transport layer (Layer 4) in the TCP/IP
protocol suite. A stream protocol that allows efficient data
transfer across networks of different kinds with different
communication parameters, as well as different underlying
communication protocols.
- TCP/IP
The protocol suite used in the Internet, intranets, and
extranets.
- TCP window
The amount of outstanding (unacknowledged by the
recipient) data a sender can send on a particular connection
before it gets an acknowledgement back from the receiver that it
has gotten some of it.
- RAMI (Rate Adjustment by Managing Inflows)
The title of the project comprising of FCM and SAM.
- tool-tips
Small pop-up windows in a GUI that aid usability by appearing
and giving help/instructions when the user leaves the mouse idle
over a button for a few seconds.
- up state
A state FCM is in whenever it is currently loaded and running.
- window
See TCP window.
- X
Also known as X-Windows. A graphical environment for Unix which
serves as a platform for other applications.
