Patent Publication Number: US-11044350-B1

Title: Methods for dynamically managing utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm in transmission control protocol (TCP) connections and devices thereof

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/627,352 filed Feb. 7, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This technology generally relates to managing network traffic and, more specifically, to methods and devices for dynamically managing utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm in transmission control protocol (TCP) connections. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Nagle&#39;s algorithm, which is disclosed in Request for Comments (RFC) No. 896 entitled “Congestion Control in IP/TCP Internetworks,” by John Nagle, published on Jan. 6, 1984, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, generally disallows Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) sending devices from sending sub-maximum-size packets unless all sent data has been acknowledged. The maximum size used in many implementations of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is a maximum segment size (MSS) established for a TCP connection, although other maximum sizes can also be used. By delaying the sending of sub-maximum-size packets, more time is available for application data to arrive from another network protocol layer (e.g., a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) layer) in the network stack. The additional application data can then be aggregated into a larger or full size packet, thereby reducing the number of relatively small packets that are transmitted. 
     However, enabling utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for a TCP connection introduces latency. More specifically, at the end of a message, a sending device will wait for all sent data to be acknowledged in order to send the remaining application data rather than send the remaining application data earlier in a packet that is less than a maximize size for the TCP connection. However, disabling utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm results in sending an increased number of packets, thereby reducing bandwidth efficiency and causing receiving devices to expend an increased amount of energy (e.g., battery power) to receive packets and transmit acknowledgements. 
     Currently, utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is ineffective and/or inefficient in many network stack implementations. In particular, network devices often either enable or disable utilization Nagle&#39;s algorithm for all TCP connections irrespective of whether only a subset of the TCP connections would benefit from, or be harmed by, implementing Nagle&#39;s algorithm. Accordingly, many networks have increased latency and/or inefficient bandwidth utilization for TCP communications, and/or cause increased power consumption for receiving devices, which is undesirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method for dynamically managing utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm in transmission control protocol (TCP) connections implemented in cooperation with a network traffic management system comprising one or more network traffic management modules, server modules, or client modules, includes monitoring at least one TCP connection. A determination is made when an established configuration for the TCP connection requires modification based on the monitoring. The established configuration corresponds to utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection. The established configuration is automatically modified to enable or disable utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection, when the determination indicates that the established configuration requires modification. 
     A network traffic management apparatus is disclosed that includes memory including programmed instructions stored thereon and one or more processors configured to be capable of executing the stored programmed instructions to monitor at least one TCP connection. A determination is made when an established configuration for the TCP connection requires modification based on the monitoring. The established configuration corresponds to utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection. The established configuration is automatically modified to enable or disable utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection, when the determination indicates that the established configuration requires modification. 
     A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for dynamically managing utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm in TCP connections including executable code that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to monitor at least one TCP connection. A determination is made when an established configuration for the TCP connection requires modification based on the monitoring. The established configuration corresponds to utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection. The established configuration is automatically modified to enable or disable utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection, when the determination indicates that the established configuration requires modification. 
     A network traffic management system includes one or more network traffic management modules, server modules, or client modules, memory comprising programmed instructions stored thereon, and one or more processors configured to be capable of executing the stored programmed instructions to monitor at least one TCP connection. A determination is made when an established configuration for the TCP connection requires modification based on the monitoring. The established configuration corresponds to utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection. The established configuration is automatically modified to enable or disable utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection, when the determination indicates that the established configuration requires modification. 
     This technology has a number of associated advantages including providing methods, non-transitory computer readable media, network traffic management apparatuses, and network traffic management systems that monitor TCP connections and automatically toggle utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connections based on the monitoring in order to optimize the TCP connections. In particular, this technology optimizes TCP connections by reducing latency and improving bandwidth utilization, among other advantages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary network traffic management system with a network traffic management apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary network traffic management apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an exemplary method for automatically toggling utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for transmission control protocol (TCP connections; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary method for packetizing data for a TCP connection when utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is disabled. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary network environment that incorporates an exemplary network traffic management system  10  is illustrated. The network traffic management system  10  in this example includes a network traffic management apparatus  12  that is coupled to server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), and client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) via communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ), although the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), and client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) may be coupled together via other topologies. The network traffic management system  10  may include other network devices such as one or more routers or switches, for example, which are known in the art and thus will not be described herein. This technology provides a number of advantages including methods, non-transitory computer readable media, network traffic management systems, and network traffic management apparatuses that improve utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for TCP connections to thereby reduce latency of TCP communications, improve network bandwidth utilization, and improve power consumption of network devices. 
     In this particular example, the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), and client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) are disclosed in  FIG. 1  as dedicated hardware devices. However, one or more of the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), or client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) can also be implemented in software within one or more other devices in the network traffic management system  10 . As used herein, the term “module” refers to either an implementation as a dedicated hardware device or apparatus, or an implementation in software hosted by another hardware device or apparatus that may be hosting one or more other software components or implementations. 
     As one example, the network traffic management apparatus  12 , as well as any of its components or applications, can be a module implemented as software executing on one of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), and many other permutations and types of implementations can also be used in other examples. Moreover, any or all of the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), or client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) can be implemented, and may be referred to herein, as a module. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  of the network traffic management system  10  may perform any number of functions, including providing network security, load balancing network traffic across the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), or accelerating network traffic associated with applications hosted by one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), for example. The network traffic management apparatus  12  in this example includes one or more processor(s)  20 , a memory  22 , and a communication interface  24 , which are coupled together by a bus  26 , although the network traffic management apparatus  12  can include other types or numbers of elements in other configurations. 
     The processor(s)  20  of the network traffic management apparatus  12  may execute programmed instructions stored in the memory  22  of the network traffic management apparatus  12  for any number of the functions identified above. The processor(s)  20  of the network traffic management apparatus  12  may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) or general purpose processors with one or more processing cores, for example, although other types of processor(s) can also be used. 
     The memory  22  of the network traffic management apparatus  12  stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored elsewhere. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), hard disk, solid state drives, flash memory, or other computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the processor(s)  20 , can be used for the memory  22 . 
     Accordingly, the memory  22  of the network traffic management apparatus  12  can store one or more applications that can include computer executable instructions that, when executed by the network traffic management apparatus  12 , cause the network traffic management apparatus  12  to perform actions, such as to transmit, receive, or otherwise process messages, for example, and to perform other actions described and illustrated below with reference to  FIGS. 3-4 . The application(s) can be implemented as components of other applications. Further, the application(s) can be implemented as operating system extensions, plugins, or the like. 
     Even further, the application(s) may be operative in a cloud-based computing environment. The application(s) can be executed within or as virtual machine(s) or virtual server(s) that may be managed in a cloud-based computing environment. Also, the application(s), and even the network traffic management apparatus  12  itself, may be located in virtual server(s) running in a cloud-based computing environment rather than being tied to one or more specific physical network computing devices. Also, the application(s) may be running in one or more virtual machines (VMs) executing on the network traffic management apparatus  12 . Additionally, in one or more examples of this technology, virtual machine(s) running on the network traffic management apparatus  12  may be managed or supervised by a hypervisor. 
     In this particular example, the memory  22  of the network traffic management apparatus  12  includes an operating system  28  and a network stack  30  with a TCP layer  32 , although the memory can include other policies, modules, databases, or applications, for example. The operating system  28  can execute applications and control the general operation and other tasks performed by the network traffic management apparatus  12 , for example. In one example, the operating system can be a traffic management microkernel (TMM) provided by F5 Networks, Inc. of Seattle, Wash., although other types of operating systems can also be used in other examples. 
     The operating system  28  and/or other applications executed by the network traffic management apparatus  12  can generate application data that is communicated to an upper layer or module of the network stack  30  to subsequently be packetized by the TCP layer  32  and sent to a remote device, such as one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) or one of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ). In addition to the TCP layer  32 , the network stack  30  can include a plurality of other layers or modules configured to communicate between each other in order to facilitate the transmission of data across the communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and/or  18 ( 2 ), for example. Accordingly, the network stack  30 , also referred to as a protocol stack, includes software implementations for a plurality of network communication protocols. 
     In this particular example in which the network traffic management apparatus  12  acts as a proxy between the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) and the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), the network traffic management apparatus  12  may be receive packets from the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) with data contained therein, process the packets using the operating system  28 , and generate and send new packets to the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) in order to communicate the data to the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ). In other examples, the packets may be received by the network traffic management apparatus  12  from the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) and proxied to the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), and other arrangements are also possible in other examples. 
     The TCP layer  32  in particular may receive application data from a higher or upper layer of the network stack  30  (e.g., an HTTP layer), which is then packetized. The TCP layer  32  with this technology advantageously automatically and dynamically optimizes utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for TCP connections based on monitored messages received from another layer in the network stack  30 , round trip time (RTT) of TCP packets for a TCP connection, and/or TCP acknowledgements received from a remote device associated with a TCP connection, as described and illustrated in more detail later with reference to  FIGS. 3-4 . 
     The communication interface  24  of the network traffic management apparatus  12  operatively couples and communicates between the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), and client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), which are coupled together at least in part by the communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ), although other types or numbers of communication networks or systems with other types or numbers of connections or configurations to other devices or elements can also be used. 
     By way of example only, the communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ) can include local area network(s) (LAN(s)) or wide area network(s) (WAN(s)), and can use TCP/IP over Ethernet and industry-standard protocols, although other types or numbers of protocols or communication networks can be used. The communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ) in this example can employ any suitable interface mechanisms and network communication technologies including, for example, teletraffic in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and the like), Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Ethernet-based Packet Data Networks (PDNs), combinations thereof, and the like. While packetized networks are disclosed in the examples herein, other types of the communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ) can also be used in other examples. 
     While the network traffic management apparatus  12  is illustrated in this example as including a single device, the network traffic management apparatus  12  in other examples can include a plurality of devices or blades each having one or more processors (each processor with one or more processing cores) that implement one or more steps of this technology. In these examples, one or more of the devices can have a dedicated communication interface or memory. Alternatively, one or more of the devices can utilize the memory, communication interface, or other hardware or software components of one or more other devices included in the network traffic management apparatus  12 . 
     Additionally, one or more of the devices that together comprise the network traffic management apparatus  12  in other examples can be standalone devices or integrated with one or more other devices or apparatuses, such as one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), for example. Moreover, one or more of the devices of the network traffic management apparatus  12  in these examples can be in a same or a different communication network including one or more public, private, or cloud networks, for example. 
     Each of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) of the network traffic management system  10  in this example includes processor(s), a memory, and a communication interface, which are coupled together by a bus or other communication link, although other numbers or types of components could be used. The server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) in this example can include application servers, database servers, access control servers, or encryption servers, for example, that exchange communications along communication paths expected based on application logic in order to facilitate interactions with an application by users of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ). 
     Accordingly, in some examples, one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) process login and other requests received from the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) via the communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ) according to the HTTP-based application RFC protocol, for example. A web application may be operating on one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) and transmitting data (e.g., files or web pages) to the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) (e.g., via the network traffic management apparatus  12 ) in response to requests from the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ). The server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) may be hardware or software or may represent a system with multiple servers in a pool, which may include internal or external networks. 
     Although the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) are illustrated as single devices, one or more actions of each of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) may be distributed across one or more distinct network computing devices that together comprise one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ). Moreover, the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) are not limited to a particular configuration. Thus, the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) may contain network computing devices that operate using a master/slave approach, whereby one of the network computing devices of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) operate to manage or otherwise coordinate operations of the other network computing devices. The server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) may operate as a plurality of network computing devices within a cluster architecture, a peer-to peer architecture, virtual machines, or within a cloud architecture, for example. 
     Thus, the technology disclosed herein is not to be construed as being limited to a single environment and other configurations and architectures are also envisaged. For example, one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) can operate within the network traffic management apparatus  12  itself rather than as a stand-alone server device communicating with the network traffic management apparatus  12  via communication network(s)  18 ( 2 ). In this example, the one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) operate within the memory  22  of the network traffic management apparatus  12 . 
     The client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) of the network traffic management system  10  in this example include any type of computing device that can exchange network data, such as mobile, desktop, laptop, or tablet computing devices, virtual machines (including cloud-based computers), or the like. Each of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) in this example includes a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, which are coupled together by a bus or other communication link (not illustrated), although other numbers or types of components could also be used. 
     The client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) may run interface applications, such as standard web browsers or standalone client applications, which may provide an interface to make requests for, and receive content stored on, one or more of the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ) via the communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ). The client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) may further include a display device, such as a display screen or touchscreen, or an input device, such as a keyboard for example (not illustrated). Additionally, one or more of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) can be configured to execute software code (e.g., JavaScript code within a web browser) in order to log client-side data and provide the logged data to the network traffic management apparatus  12 , as described and illustrated in more detail later. 
     Although the exemplary network traffic management system  10  with the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), and communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) and  18 ( 2 ) are described and illustrated herein, other types or numbers of systems, devices, components, or elements in other topologies can be used. It is to be understood that the systems of the examples described herein are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware and software used to implement the examples are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). 
     One or more of the components depicted in the network security system  10 , such as the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), or client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), for example, may be configured to operate as virtual instances on the same physical machine. In other words, one or more of the network traffic management apparatus  12 , server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ), or client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) may operate on the same physical device rather than as separate devices communicating through communication network(s)  18 ( 1 ) or  18 ( 2 ). Additionally, there may be more or fewer network traffic management apparatuses, client devices, or server devices than illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     In addition, two or more computing systems or devices can be substituted for any one of the systems or devices in any example. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy and replication also can be implemented, as desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the devices and systems of the examples. The examples may also be implemented on computer system(s) that extend across any suitable network using any suitable interface mechanisms and traffic technologies, including by way of example only, wireless traffic networks, cellular traffic networks, Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, and combinations thereof. 
     The examples may also be embodied as one or more non-transitory computer readable media having instructions stored thereon, such as in the memory  22 , for one or more aspects of the present technology, as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein. The instructions in some examples include executable code that, when executed by one or more processors, such as the processor(s)  20 , cause the processors to carry out steps necessary to implement the methods of the examples of this technology that are described and illustrated herein. 
     An exemplary method of dynamically managing utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm in TCP connections will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . Referring more specifically to  FIG. 3 , an example of a method of automatically toggling utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for TCP connections is illustrated. In step  300  in this example, the network traffic management apparatus  12  of the network traffic management system  10  monitors at least one TCP connection with a remote device, such as one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), for example. The monitoring can be of characteristics or parameters that indicate that the established configuration for the TCP connection requires modification with respect to utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm, examples of which are described and illustrated herein with reference to steps  302 ,  306 , and  310  of  FIG. 3   
     In step  302 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether a network protocol layer or module above the TCP layer  32  in the network stack  30  is configured to communicate message(s) indicating an end of the transmission of application data. The determination in step  302  can be based on monitoring, in step  300 , messages received by the TCP layer  32  from the network protocol layer above the TCP layer  32 , for example, although other methods for determining whether the network protocol layer above the TCP layer  32  is configured to communicate message(s) indicating an end of the transmission of application data can also be used. 
     In one example, an HTTP protocol layer is above the TCP layer  32  in the network stack  30  and configured to communicate application data and end of application data messages to the TCP layer  32 , although other network protocol layers can also exist in the network stack  30  (e.g., Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)) and be configured to communicate message(s) indicating an end of the transmission of application data in other examples. If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that a network protocol layer above the TCP layer  32  in the network stack  30  is not configured to communicate message(s) indicating an end of the transmission of application data, then the No branch is taken to step  304 . 
     In step  304 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  generates, or obtains from the memory  22 , an RTT for the TCP connection. The implementation of the TCP layer  32  in this example is configured to maintain performance metrics for the TCP connection, including RTT, based on sent TCP packets and received acknowledgements monitored in step  300 . Accordingly, the RTT can be a current or average RTT and can be generated dynamically or periodically and stored in the memory  22 , for example, and other methods for generating or obtaining the RTT can also be used in other examples. 
     In step  306 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether the RTT is less than a threshold RTT. The threshold RTT can be configurable by an administrator or dynamically generated based on the monitoring of one or more TCP connections managed by the network traffic management apparatus  12 , for example. In some examples, the threshold RTT can be around 20 ms, although any other threshold RTT can be used. If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that the RTT is not less than the threshold RTT, then the No branch is taken to step  308 . 
     In step  308 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether TCP acknowledgement delay is enabled at the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ). The determination in step  308  can be based on monitoring sequence numbers of one or more acknowledgement packets received from the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ). If TCP acknowledgement delay is enabled, then the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) will not send an acknowledgement packet for each TCP packet sent by the network traffic management apparatus  12 . Instead, the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) will send an acknowledgement packet subsequent to receiving several sent TCP packets. 
     When an acknowledgement packet is eventually sent by the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), it will only include a sequence number of a most or relatively recent sent TCP packet. When the TCP layer  32  receives the acknowledgement message, it will consider all TCP packets with lower sequence numbers to be acknowledged as well. Accordingly, if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines, based on the monitoring in step  300 , that an acknowledgement message is not received for each sequence number corresponding to a sent TCP packet, then the network traffic management apparatus  12  will determine in step  308  that TCP acknowledgement delay is enabled at the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ). Other methods of determining whether TCP acknowledgement delay is enabled at a remote device can also be used in other examples. 
     If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that: TCP acknowledgement delay is not enabled in step  308  and the No branch is taken; a network protocol layer higher than or above the TCP layer  32  in the network stack  30  is configured to communicate message(s) indicating an end of the transmission of application data and the Yes branch is taken from step  302 ; or the RTT is less than the threshold RTT and the Yes branch is taken from step  306 ; then the network traffic management apparatus proceeds to step  310 . 
     In step  310 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is currently enabled for the TCP connection. Nagle&#39;s algorithm could be enabled based on a default configuration, for example. If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is enabled, then the Yes branch is taken back to step  300 , and Nagle&#39;s algorithm will remain enabled for the TCP connection. However, if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines in step  310  that utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is not enabled for the TCP connection, then the No branch is taken to step  312 . 
     In step  312 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  modifies a configuration for the TCP connection to enable utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm. Subsequent to enabling Nagle&#39;s algorithm, the network traffic management apparatus  12  proceeds back to step  300 . 
     Accordingly, in this example, Nagle&#39;s algorithm is enabled for a TCP connection in which the network protocol layer directly above the TCP layer  32  in the network stack  30  is configured to communicate a message to the TCP layer  32  indicating an end of application data. Because the TCP layer  32  is able to determine from the higher network protocol layer that no more application data is forthcoming, stalls when waiting for nonexistent future data can be prevented. In other words, the impact of utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm on latency can be reduced because the TCP layer  32  can independently determine that no more application data will be received, and will therefore not have to wait for all acknowledgements when a packet of sub-maximum-size is the last packet remaining in the send buffer. 
     With respect to RTT, utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for a TCP connection can be enabled in this example when the RTT is low enough (i.e., below the RTT threshold) such that increased latency resulting from utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm can be tolerated in order to obtain the benefits of the algorithm (e.g., increased bandwidth efficiency and reduced power consumption). 
     Additionally, waiting for delayed acknowledgement messages in order to send sub-maximum-size packets can introduce significant latency that may not be tolerable. Accordingly, if TCP acknowledgement delay is not enabled at the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), and the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) is sending an acknowledgement packet for each sent TCP packet, then the impact on latency of utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for the TCP connection will be less significant. Referring back to step  308 , if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that TCP acknowledgement delay is enabled at the one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), then the Yes branch is taken to step  314 . 
     In step  314 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is currently disabled for the TCP connection, such as due to an initial or default configuration, for example. If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that Nagle&#39;s algorithm is currently disabled for the TCP connection, then the Yes branch is taken back to step  300  and utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm remains disabled for the TCP connection. However, if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that Nagle&#39;s algorithm is not currently disabled for the TCP connection, then the No branch is taken to step  316 . 
     In step  316 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  modifies a configuration for the TCP connection to disable utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm. Subsequent to disabling Nagle&#39;s algorithm, the network traffic management apparatus proceeds back to step  300 . Accordingly, in this example, utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is disabled for a TCP connection because utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm would introduce significant latency as a result of waiting for delayed acknowledgements in order to send packets of a sub-maximum-size. 
     In other examples, one or more of steps  302 - 316 , and in particular one or more of steps  302 ,  306 , and/or  308 , can be performed in a different order. Accordingly, in one particular example, Nagle&#39;s algorithm can be disabled for a TCP connection when RTT is not determined to be less than a threshold RTT without determining, and irrespective of, whether TCP acknowledgement delay is enabled at a remote device. As a result, the particular method disclosed in  FIG. 3  is merely illustrative of exemplary characteristics or parameters of TCP connections that can be monitored in order to dynamically determine whether an established configuration for a TCP connection requires modification with respect to utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm. 
     Referring more specifically to  FIG. 4 , an example of a method of packetizing data for a TCP connection when utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is disabled is illustrated. In step  400  in this example, the network traffic management apparatus  12  of the network traffic management system  10  determines whether there are any packet(s) in a send buffer in the memory  22 . 
     In this particular example, the network traffic management apparatus  12  is acting as a proxy and, accordingly, incoming data (e.g., from the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n )) is packetized resulting in packetized data in the send buffers prior to transmission (e.g., to the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n )). If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that there are not any packet(s) in the send buffer, then the No branch is taken back to step  400 , and the network traffic management apparatus  12  effectively waits for packet(s) to be received in the send buffer. However, if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that there are packet(s) in the send buffer, then the Yes branch is taken to step  402 . 
     In step  402 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether two or more of the packet(s) in the send buffer can be merged to generate one or more fewer packets. Whether packets can be merged may be based on whether there is more than one packet in the send buffer and/or a size of the packets as compared to a maximum segment size (MSS) for the TCP connection, for example, although other parameters can be used in other examples to determine whether two or more packets can be merged. If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that two or more packets in the send buffer can be merged, then the Yes branch is taken to step  404 . 
     In step  404 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  merges the two or more of the packets to generate one or more fewer packets. Thereby, application data from two or more packets will be sent with a same header. Accordingly, while utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm is disabled for the TCP connection, the network traffic management apparatus  12  advantageously aggregates packets when possible in order to reduce overall bandwidth utilization and the number of transmitted packets. However, if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines in step  402  that two or more packets cannot be merged, then the No branch is taken to step  406 . 
     In step  406 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether a TCP window for the TCP connection will only allow part of one of the packets in the send buffer to be transmitted. If the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines that the TCP window will only allow part of a packet to be transmitted, then the Yes branch is taken to step  408 . 
     In step  408 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines whether there are other packet(s) in the send buffer. Subsequent to merging the packet(s) in step  404 , or if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines in step  408  that there are no other packets in the send buffer and the No branch is taken, then the network traffic management apparatus  12  proceeds to step  410 . 
     In step  410 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  sends a packet to a remote device, such as one of the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ), for example. The packet can be a merged packet generated in step  404 . In another example, the packet could be a complete packet, as retrieved from the send buffer, which is capable of being sent within the current TCP window. In yet another example, the packet is the last packet received from a higher network protocol layer in the network stack  30  and, accordingly, the packet can be split because it will not be possible to merge the packet. Accordingly, in this example, the packet sent in step  410  is a split or partial packet based on the availability within the TCP window. However, if the network traffic management apparatus  12  determines in step  408  that there is at least one other packet in the send buffer, then the Yes branch is taken to step  412 . 
     In step  412 , the network traffic management apparatus  12  maintains the packet a portion of which would have been allowed within the TCP window rather than sending the split or partial packet in step  410 . By maintaining the packet in the send buffer, the packet will be available to be merged in step  404  and the network traffic management apparatus  12  can reduce the overall number of transmitted packets. In particular, this technology can guarantee that the number of packets transmitted to the client devices  16 ( 1 )- 16 ( n ) will not exceed the number of packets received from the server devices  14 ( 1 )- 14 ( n ). 
     Accordingly, with this technology, utilization of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for TCP connections can be toggled dynamically and automatically based on a monitoring of the TCP connections. This technology optimizes the application of Nagle&#39;s algorithm for particular TCP connections, which may share particular characteristics or be associated with a particular application, and may benefit from enabling or disabling the algorithm. Advantageously, latency can be reduced, bandwidth can be more efficiently utilized, and fewer packets can be transmitted in network environments. 
     Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.