An abstract source-level model can describe in detail the entire
set of TCP application behaviors observed in real networks.
Descriptions of abstract source-level behavior can be empirically derived from packet header traces in an efficient, accurate manner.
Traffic generation based on this abstract source-level modeling results in synthetic
traffic that is realistic and suitable for experimental networking research.
The abstract source-level model of a trace can be manipulated to introduce
statistically valid variability in the generated traffic and
also to accurately match a target offered load while preserving application
characteristics.