Thread: Question for network programmers

  1. #1
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    Question for network programmers

    First off I'm not a programmer. I'm a network tech. So forgive me if any of the terms I use seem strange. I'm trying to understand how sliding window protocol operates in relation to the buffers.

    Ok, let's say Computer A's TCP send buffer can allocate 8000 bytes. Computer B's receive buffer (window size) is only 6000 bytes. Computer A's Application layer hands down a PDU of 8000 bytes to Computer A's TCP. Computer A's TCP places all 8000 bytes on it's send buffer.

    Computer A will "window" 6000 bytes out of it's 8000 bytes it has on it's send buffer due to the window size Computer B advertised. It will then send the "window" of 6000 bytes of data to Computer B in several packets (each full size around 1460 bytes).

    As Computer B receives the packets on it's receive buffer, it processes them quickly up the application layer and acknowledges Computer A. This causes Computer B to free up it's receive buffer a bit more so it sends a window update to Computer A saying "win 2000". Computer A then sends the remaining 2000 bytes.

    Is that correct? What did misunderstand if not?
    Thanks in advance!
    Last edited by rtunez33; 10-06-2004 at 09:16 AM.

  2. #2
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    I would have moved it here
    http://cboard.cprogramming.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28
    had it actually contained any code.

    But since it didn't, I moved it to the random tech support forum.

    Tell me, what have your google searches told you so far?
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
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  3. #3
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    Google is not the answer for everything. Sometimes you have to ask. Google has yielded tons of info on the definition of sliding window. I've also read most of the rfcs pertaining to it.

    Each defines what it is, but does not elaborate any further to answer my question.
    Last edited by rtunez33; 10-06-2004 at 09:16 AM.

  4. #4
    PC Fixer-Upper Waldo2k2's Avatar
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    what you've already stated seems pretty close. Any network+ book will cover that in it. Go check out the library or even buy one...most websites won't go into detail like that unless it's someones personal site.
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  5. #5
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    I am unaware of any Network + book that defines this to the extent I'm looking for (net + cert here). CCNA books barely brush on it. TCP/IP illustrated goes over it briefly. Cisco has had the best explanation so far, but they have not defined these certain things. Probably because when you start getting into more detailed things in tcp (algorithms, protocols) etc.. it pertains more to developers.
    Thanks anyway

  6. #6
    Registered User whistlenm1's Avatar
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    Did sliding window a few weeks ago, you seem to be on the right path form what I remember. As far as a book

    Computer Networks by Andrew S. Tanenbaum (Minix creator)
    I'm using the Fourth Edition.
    Man's mind once streched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions
    - Oliver Wendell Holmes

    In other words, if you teach your cat to bark (output) and eat dog food (input) that doesn't make him a dog. It would have to chase cars, chew bones, and have puppies before I'd call it Rover ;-)
    - WaltP

  7. #7
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    Thanks whistlenm1 . I do have that book (1st edition). Have not read it yet, as I just got it off amazon last week. But from my skimming: It is definitely a book geared more towards developers and not network engineers/analysts . . I dont program (yet) so most of it is greek to me. But it is amazing to see how it all operates behind the scenes. Quite impressive.

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