As internet usage continues to grow, it’s crucial to have a fast and reliable network. One way to achieve this is by enabling BBR, a congestion control algorithm developed by Google. BBR (Bottleneck Bandwidth and Round-trip propagation time) optimizes your network’s speed and reliability, ensuring your data gets transmitted faster and more efficiently. This guide will demonstrate how to enable BBR on Debian 12 Bookworm, Debian 11 Bullseye, or Debian 10 Buster.
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What is BBR, and how does it work?
BBR is a congestion control algorithm that uses network measurements to estimate bandwidth and packet loss rates. It calculates the maximum rate at which data can be sent over the network without causing congestion or packet loss. BBR does this by keeping track of the network’s round-trip time (RTT) and the amount of data in flight at any given time.
Why should I use BBR?
BBR can significantly improve your network’s speed and reliability by reducing packet loss and increasing throughput. It achieves this by using real-time network measurements to optimize data flow. This makes BBR ideal for applications that require high throughput and low latency, such as video streaming, online gaming, and file transfers.
How to check if BBR is enabled on your system?
Before enabling BBR, checking if it’s already enabled on your system is essential. To do this, run the following command:
sysctl net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_controlIf BBR is enabled, you’ll see the following output:
net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control = bbrIf you see a different congestion control algorithm, such as cubic or reno, BBR isn’t enabled.
How to enable BBR in Debian Linux?
To enable BBR on Ubuntu Linux, follow these steps:
Step 1: Update your system
Before making any changes to your system, it’s crucial to update it to ensure you have the latest packages and security fixes. To do this, run the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt-get upgradeStep 2: Check if BBR is supported
Not all systems support BBR, so checking if your system does essential. To do this, run the following command:
sudo modprobe tcp_bbrIf your system supports BBR, you’ll see no output. You’ll see an error message if your system doesn’t support BBR.
Step 3: Enable BBR
To enable BBR, run the following command:
sudo sh -c 'echo "net.core.default_qdisc=fq" >> /etc/sysctl.conf'
sudo sh -c 'echo "net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control=bbr" >> /etc/sysctl.conf'These commands will set the default queuing discipline to fq and enable BBR as the congestion control algorithm.
Step 4: Reload sysctl
To apply the changes, run the following command:
sudo sysctl -pHow to verify if BBR is enabled?
To verify if BBR is enabled, run the following command:
sysctl net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_controlIf BBR is enabled, you’ll see the following output:
net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control = bbrConclusion
Enabling BBR on Debian Linux is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your network’s speed and reliability. BBR can reduce packet loss, increase throughput, and optimize your network’s performance. If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds or network congestion, consider enabling BBR to see if it makes a difference. Remember to check if your system supports BBR before enabling it, and follow the steps outlined in this guide to avoid any issues.