Multiple Connection Hack

Problem:
- Rendering requires meta-data of objects embedded in that page
Solution:
- Open N connections simultaneously (by default 4 with Netscape)
Result:
- Faster time to render
- but… Self congestion of nearly simultaneous opens
- “Unfair” use of bandwidth (problem of the “commons”)
Has made HTTP/1.0’s use of TCP, a bad problem, much worse
Even with persistent connections, we will have fairness problems for clients that use multiple connections, versus “well behaved” clients using one. RED algorithm in routers may help.