Efficient Cross-layer Routing & Congestion Control Architectures for Distributed Systems

In this proposal we first describe some major research problems in distributed systems. We broadly classify these research challenges into four categories. Each of these challenges are in the areas of congestion control, routing, large scale distributed systems (cloud computing) and Distributed of Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. We then discuss existing techniques to deal with these challenges and the shortcomings of the techniques. Finally we propose our comprehensive cross-layer congestion control and routing approach along with other schemes to deal with all these challenges. The design of the Network Control Protocol (NCP) to deal with the congestion control and routing problems is discussed in this proposal. The design of Efficient Distributed File System (EDFS) which uses the NCP concept along with other schemes to deal with the third challenge is also explained in this proposal. Simulation results presented in this proposal show that the congestion control component of NCP outperforms the rate control protocol (RCP) which is a well known congestion control protocol. More simulation results also show that the congestion control component of EDFS gives higher performance than the congestion control component of the Google File System (GFS) which is the transmission control protocol (TCP). As described in the research time-line section of this proposal, the next steps of this PhD research are mainly on the routing (cross-layer) components of NCP and EDFS among other things.