Packet coding based network communication

Abstract

A method for data communication between a first node and a second node includes forming one or more redundancy messages from data messages at the first node using an error correcting code and transmitting first messages from the first node to the second node over a data path, the transmitted first messages including the data messages and the one or more redundancy messages. Second messages are received at the first node from the second node, which are indicative of: (i) a rate of arrival at the second node of the first messages, and (ii) successful and unsuccessful delivery of the first messages. A transmission rate limit and a window size are maintained according to the received second messages. Transmission of additional messages from the first node to the second node is limited according to the maintained transmission rate limit and window size.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for data communication between a first node and a second node over a plurality of data paths coupling the first node and the second node, the method comprising:
 transmitting messages between the first node and the second node over the plurality of data paths including transmitting at least some of the messages over a first data path of the plurality of data paths using a first communication protocol and transmitting at least some of the messages over a second data path of the plurality of data paths using a second communication protocol;   determining that the first data path is altering a flow of messages over the first data path due to the messages being transmitted using the first communication protocol; and   in response to the determining, adjusting a number of messages sent over the plurality of data paths including: (i) decreasing a number of the messages transmitted over the first data path and increasing a number of messages transmitted over the second data path, or (ii) increasing the number of the messages transmitted over the first data path and decreasing the number of messages transmitted over the second data path,   wherein the first communication protocol is User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).