An optimization analysis of frame architecture in selected protocols

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1993-03-04
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Virginia Tech
Abstract

In the current multi-protocol networking environment where a large number of networks coexist and provide transmission, switching, and network management services, multiple protocol conversions take place between the networks. These conversions occur in switches, file servers, and hosts, and are essential for maintaining smooth data flow. Two typical activities take place during a translation, first, conversion of one type of data frame to another, and second, clock synchronization. These activities consume time and affect the throughput of the overall system. In this paper, the merits and demerits of each of a select group of protocols are discussed, especially relative to their frame architectures and overhead characteristics, with an eye toward optimizing some of the protocols.

The analytical approach chosen for this paper comprises a detailed review and analysis of the characteristics of specific protocol framing architectures in all the layers of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and non-OSI standards with a focus on the upper layer protocols. The protocols selected from the OSI stack are the Message Handling System (MHS), File Transfer, Access and Management (FTAM), and Transport Layer protocols. Those selected from the non-OSI standards are the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocols. The MHS framing overhead for a randomly chosen sample is developed in detail to provide an insight into one upper-layer protocol header overhead in the OSI environment.

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