European Space Agency
European Space Agency
QUIC is a new encrypted-by-default Internet transport protocol that accelerates HTTP traffic and which has the intention to eventually replace TCP. Originally proposed by Google, the IETF is now actively pursuing work to define and standardize a series of RFCs for the first IETF QUIC transport protocol.
Since QUIC transport fully encrypts all transport protocol headers and authenticates the endpoints of a connection, currently widely deployed Performance Enhancement Proxies (PEP) can no longer be used to improve TCP performance.
The real interactions of QUIC using a satellite service have not been fully explored yet. The project objectives are to identify the root causes of any shortfalls in performance of specific QUIC mechanisms, propose changes to the specification, and evaluate the new proposals using a real-time emulation test bed used already for the MTAILS project. The results of this work are contributed as code patches, presentations and direct contributions to the IETF, primarily targeting the QUIC Working Group.
Initially, focus is on QUICv1, where there is still an opportunity to influence standardisation work. After its standardisation, work shall focus on satellite-specific enhancement to be included in QUICv2.
Influencing the QUIC standardization process requires a good knowledge of the IETF structure and the standardization processes. Additionally, experience has shown that it is convenient to attend regular IETF standards meetings, as this advances the impact with industry and provides opportunities to receive feedback on research. This is especially important considering that the satellite industry represents only a minor stakeholder within the much larger Internet community participating in the QUIC standardization process, represented by Google, Apple, Microsoft and the like.
As an increasing proportion of satellite communication now rely on Internet protocols, and with a growing desire for more secure communications, influencing the development of the QUIC protocol to be more efficient over satellite is key to maintaining and growing satellite’s role in future communications networks. The project provides the following benefits:
The study addresses various areas for potential improvement of the QUIC protocol:
Additionally, a set of new additional features have been identified as potential new features for QUICv2 (e.g. Multipath and the impact of non-congestive packet loss and mitigation using FEC). A preliminary study is proposed focusing on the evaluation of the applicability of these techniques to satellite communication systems from the follow on of the standardization recommendations.
In order to evaluate QUIC performance and assess improvements in a realistic environment, the project extension re-uses the test bed developed in the MTAILS project.
This test bed features two emulators: a satellite emulator (based on AINE tool, implementing bandwidth on demand (BoD) assignment protocols and applying satellite delays) and an optional 5G backhaul emulator. Connected to the emulators, we have commercial Performance Enhancement Proxies appliances (performing TCP acceleration and GTP tunnelling when needed), as used in most satellite systems, and, finally, the application clients and servers in real and locally controlled scenarios. These clients / server run the existing QUIC implementations.
The project is expected to last 19 months and is structured around two parallel tasks.
A first task identifies, defines and evaluates appropriate mechanisms to improve the performance of QUIC when used with paths that include a satellite link. As part of this task, a test campaign is carried out, focusing on specific use cases to foster adoption and stakeholder involvement.
The second task focuses on supporting the standardization of the identified QUIC mechanisms through the IETF, by participating in IETF Hackathons and QUIC WG meetings. It also supports dissemination activities.
Milestones of the project are closely linked to IETF plenary meetings and review project contribution to these meetings.
The project has successfully held its Mid Term Review 2 meeting.
It has analysed a number of techniques which are expected to improve QUIC performance (ACK scaling, exchange of transport parameters, techniques to improve congestion control start-up) and performed related analyses and simulations/experiments. In addition, performance of the current version of QUIC in satellite scenarios has been evaluated using the test bed, highlighting a number of issues with tested QUIC implementations. Additionally, further tests with the test bed are envisaged in a next step to evaluate QUIC considering also the application level (HTTP/3).
The project has also contributed to the review of the QUIC standard from a satellite stakeholder perspective and promoted stakeholder involvement through the organization of an open online workshop (https://quicsat.erg.abdn.ac.uk/) and the publication of papers. Further participation and follow-up of IETF activities is expected in the next period.
