In Section 3.5.3, we discussed TCP’s estimation of RTT. Why do you think TCP avoids measuring the SampleRTT for retransmitted segments?
Let’s look at what could wrong if TCP measures SampleRTT for a retransmitted segment. Suppose the source sends packet P1, the timer for P1 expires, and the source then sends P2, a new copy of the same packet. Further suppose the source measures SampleRTT for P2 (the retransmitted packet). Finally suppose that shortly after transmitting P2 an acknowledgment for P1 arrives. The source will mistakenly take this acknowledgment as an acknowledgment for P2 and calculate an incorrect value of SampleRTT.
Let’s look at what could be wrong if TCP measures SampleRTT for a retransmitted segment. Suppose the source sends packet P1, the timer for P1 expires, and the source then sends P2, a new copy of the same packet. Further suppose the source measures SampleRTT for P2 (the retransmitted packet). Finally suppose that shortly after transmitting P2 an acknowledgment for P1 arrives. The source will mistakenly take this acknowledgment as an acknowledgment for P2 and calculate an incorrect value of SampleRTT.