TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) buffering is the process of temporarily storing data in a buffer while two devices communicate over a TCP connection. Buffering manages the flow of data between devices. The buffer also temporarily stores data that arrives faster than the receiver can process it.
How does TCP buffering work?
TCP buffering boosts data transfer reliability and efficiency by handling variations in data rates, preventing congestion, and facilitating the smooth flow of information between parties.
The receiver tells the sender how much data it can accept. The sender adjusts its transmission rate based on these limits. Naturally, the TCP protocol plays an important part here. TCP itself is a reliable communications standard used for data transmission over the internet. It ensures that data is delivered in the correct order without errors, and it includes flow control mechanisms to prevent overloading receiving devices.
Does HAProxy offer TCP buffering?
Yes! TCP buffering is one of HAProxy's many application acceleration features. We offer limited settings to help you configure TCP buffering in HAProxy. Plus, the Linux kernel includes some supplemental buffering settings that can improve intercontinental communications.
While we recommend sticking with the default value (which allows for kernel tuning based on available memory), setting a small value can prevent HAProxy from buffering excessive quantities of incoming data. However, this buffering method greatly increases CPU usage.
