Fujitsu data transfer protocol to reduce buffering, latency
updated 01:23 pm EST, Tue January 29, 2013
Altered UDP reduces latency to a sixth of normal
Engineers at Fujitsu have developed a new data transfer protocol that can improve streaming media buffering and file transfers over a network. The software-based solution optimizes the amount of data packets traveling through a connection in an attempt to avoid network congestion and packet loss, with a a 30-times improvement in file transfer speeds between the US and Japan claimed in tests.
The software is based on the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), with the software reducing latency for streaming media when packet loss occurs, measures the amount of network bandwidth, securing an optimal amount for data transfer without overwhelming the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and also speed up the TCP applications without needing to modify them.
The testing found that, as well as the improved file transfer speeds, it also reduced latency in virtual desktop operations to less than a sixth of normal. Though not as important for file transfers, a lower latency would certainly help in areas where real-time connectivity is prioritized, such as in online gaming or video conferencing.
Fujitsu hopes to commercialize the software as a middleware solution to network providers later this year.
