Wireshark · Ethereal-users: Re: [Ethereal-users] Tcp Retransmission acceptable %

[Sean Cook <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

* hbae@xxxxxxxxxx [2006.01.17 21:36]:
> On 06:15 PM 1/16/2006, Sean Cook wrote:
> >I've got a question with regard to TCP retransmission. What is a
> >typical acceptable standard (% of packets transmitted)?
> 
> 
> There really is no "typical acceptable" number.  Some applications break with less than 0.5% retransmission rate, and others do fine with up to 3% packet loss (meaning packets will be retransmitted.)  It also depends on whether your users are complaining or not.
> 
> Ideally, there should be no retransmissions in a private network.  But of course, in the real world, you will see some retransmissions due to smaller WAN pipes, queue starvation, etc.
> 
> What is it that you are troubleshooting?

I am very grateful for the reply. I'm looking on the inside of a
firewall between a device that acts as a gateway for mobile devices
connected to the Internet for GSM/GPRS.

Mobile Devices <-> GGSN <..trace here..> Firewall <-> Internet

I'm seeing anywhere from 4%-7% retransmission down from 37% ... I still
want to clean this up, but wanted to get "ideal" and "real world"
numbers before setting my goals.

Cheers,
Sean

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