AppleInsider Staff
After iOS 7 launched on Wednesday, it was discovered that Apple included a new networking protocol called Multipath TCP in the next-gen operating system, allowing devices like the iPhone to simultaneously use multiple interfaces such as cellular and Wi-Fi to transfer data.
As its name implies, Multipath TCP allows for a connected device, such as an iPhone or iPad, to transmit data over multiple pathways simultaneously. For example, the technology allows for compatible devices to transfer data over both 3G cellular and Wi-Fi networks. The discovery was made by Olivier Bonaventure, a computer science professor at the IP Networking Lab in Belgium, who subsequently posted the findings to his personal blog.
One of Multipath TCP's benefits over traditional TCP extensions is the protocol's ability to push data through the most efficient network, which leads to fewer dropouts. If one channel fails, another will take over.
Bonaventure explains that he made the discovery using an iPad running iOS 7. By monitoring packet traces, he was able to deduce that Multipath TCP was being used to connect to certain compatible Apple servers.
"You won’t see Multipath TCP for regular TCP connections from applications like Safari," Bonaventure writes, "but if you use SIRI, you might see that the connection with one of the apple servers runs uses Multipath TCP."
The technology comes from development rooted in a 2008 initiative funded by the European Commission called the Trilogy Project, though it has yet to see widespread adoption. It is thought that Apple's inclusion of Multipath TCP in iOS 7 is the first consumer product to ship with the technology.
Bonaventure had no guesses as to how Apple plans to implement the advanced protocol beyond its own servers, though it can be speculated that the company is looking for ways to make its iCloud-based services more reliable.
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
30 Comments
Great. Lotsa stuff under the hood. No company implements new tech better than Apple. Watched Americas cup this am on an iPad 2 - no lags, nothing different than before the upgrade other than everything appears faster Have to say I'm getting more comfortable with the iOS7 now. Still think it needs some tweaks here and there - white keyboard on light grey is fine at night but needs more a darker shade in daylight. Overall pretty good.
Typical of Apple. I bet they will also extend to other TCP enhancements, if I may call it that, like tcpcrypt. -- WOT: stumbled upon: Acronym Definition APSTNDP All People Seem To Need Data Processing (mnemonic for the 7 OSI reference model layers) APSTNDP Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away (backwards mnemonic for the 7 OSI reference model layers) APSTNDP Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, Physical (OSI Reference Model layers) APSTNDP Aliens Probably Stole the Ninja Dew Pop (mnemonic for the 7 OSI reference model layers) APSTNDP All Pirate Ships Take No Darn Prisoners (mnemonic for the 7 OSI reference model layers) APSTNDP A Purple Snake Takes No Dead Prisoners (mnemonic for the 7 OSI reference model layers) APSTNDP A Powered-Down System Transmits No Data Packets (Open Systems Interconnection 7-Layer Reference Model mnemonic)
I am very surprised, why it took such idea took this long to get into any OS. Matter of fact, most of us have laptops with two IP interfaces (Wireless and Wired) and it should be awesome that they use similar approach to maximize the pipes!
Off topic but io7 has dropped support for switching camera (front facing or back) in FaceTime. Very odd as it's a useful feature. Bring it back!!!!
no, no! this not innovation! Apple can no longer innovate - the analysts all say so. this is just ... fooling around. wifi never craps out! i say so!