Congestion Control in Computer Networks: Algorithms and Policies

Network congestion can severely degrade system performance, leading to packet loss and high latency. Understanding how data flows are regulated is essential for anyone working with modern network architectures. This text-based course guides you through the fundamental mechanics of network traffic management, teaching you how to prevent bottlenecks and ensure reliable data transmission. What you will learn: - Understand the core principles, causes, and impacts of network congestion; - Compare open-loop and closed-loop congestion control policies; - Analyze traffic shaping algorithms like Leaky Bucket and Token Bucket; - Explore classic TCP congestion control mechanisms, including slow start and congestion avoidance; - Learn about modern high-performance protocols like BBR and congestion control in QUIC; - Apply analytical thinking to diagnose and resolve network throughput bottlenecks. Starting with key terminology and foundational networking concepts, you will progress from basic traffic-shaping theories to the sophisticated algorithms used by modern internet protocols. This course is designed for beginners in computer networking, software engineering, or system administration, with no prior advanced networking experience required. Step into the world of network optimization and start mastering traffic flow control today.