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Main Authors: Alioua, Nawel, Zhang, Linghe, Garg, Aneesh, Yan, Francis Y., Belding, Elizabeth
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.04381
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author Alioua, Nawel
Zhang, Linghe
Garg, Aneesh
Yan, Francis Y.
Belding, Elizabeth
author_facet Alioua, Nawel
Zhang, Linghe
Garg, Aneesh
Yan, Francis Y.
Belding, Elizabeth
contents Low Latency, Low Loss, and Scalable Throughput (L4S) is an emerging paradigm for latency control based on DualPI2 active queue management and scalable congestion control. While a Linux kernel implementation of DualPI2 is available, controlled and reproducible experimentation on L4S mechanisms can be facilitated by a modular, user-space alternative. In this paper, we present a DualPI2 module for the Mahimahi network emulator, designed to support extensible, component-level experimentation without kernel modification. We conduct a statistical behavioral characterization of the Mahimahi implementation by examining key metrics across diverse traffic patterns and network conditions, using the Linux kernel implementation as a reference baseline. Our analysis shows that behavioral alignment across execution environments is not automatic: identical DualPI2 parameterization does not guarantee identical dynamics. Instead, key control parameters exhibit environment-dependent sensitivity, leading to regime-dependent discrepancies across bandwidth-delay product (BDP) conditions. Through targeted parameter exploration, we identify configurations that improve cross-platform alignment in low BDP regimes, while revealing structural differences that persist under higher load. This work provides both a practical tool for experimental L4S research and empirical insight into cross-platform behavioral differences, highlighting the importance of systematic characterization and environment-aware parameter selection in emulation-based AQM studies.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_04381
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A DualPI2 Module for Mahimahi: Behavioral Characterization and Cross-Platform Analysis
Alioua, Nawel
Zhang, Linghe
Garg, Aneesh
Yan, Francis Y.
Belding, Elizabeth
Networking and Internet Architecture
Low Latency, Low Loss, and Scalable Throughput (L4S) is an emerging paradigm for latency control based on DualPI2 active queue management and scalable congestion control. While a Linux kernel implementation of DualPI2 is available, controlled and reproducible experimentation on L4S mechanisms can be facilitated by a modular, user-space alternative. In this paper, we present a DualPI2 module for the Mahimahi network emulator, designed to support extensible, component-level experimentation without kernel modification. We conduct a statistical behavioral characterization of the Mahimahi implementation by examining key metrics across diverse traffic patterns and network conditions, using the Linux kernel implementation as a reference baseline. Our analysis shows that behavioral alignment across execution environments is not automatic: identical DualPI2 parameterization does not guarantee identical dynamics. Instead, key control parameters exhibit environment-dependent sensitivity, leading to regime-dependent discrepancies across bandwidth-delay product (BDP) conditions. Through targeted parameter exploration, we identify configurations that improve cross-platform alignment in low BDP regimes, while revealing structural differences that persist under higher load. This work provides both a practical tool for experimental L4S research and empirical insight into cross-platform behavioral differences, highlighting the importance of systematic characterization and environment-aware parameter selection in emulation-based AQM studies.
title A DualPI2 Module for Mahimahi: Behavioral Characterization and Cross-Platform Analysis
topic Networking and Internet Architecture
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.04381