An evaluation of data compression algorithms using the communication network simulation

The relative merits of eight different lossless data compression algorithms were analyzed by implementing and exercising a variety of data sources. Various communication protocol models were tested with the goal of improving the overall throughput of networks composed of high speed LAN segments internetworked with low speed links. All the results were obtained through Communication Network Simulation (CNS). The relative performance of a series of compression schemes is presented for various circumstances. Possible solutions are given to improve the throughput under some situations; many tradeoffs are compared to optimize the throughput of the system. The accomplished results will assist the network designers to make appropriate decisions regarding which data compression algorithms are optimum for different situations.