  We present a solution to evaluate the performance of transport protocols as a
function of link layer reliability schemes (i.e. ARQ, FEC and Hybrid ARQ)
applied to satellite physical layer traces. As modelling such traces is complex
and may require approximations, the use of real traces will minimise the
potential for erroneous performance evaluations resulting from imperfect
models. Our Trace Manager Tool (TMT) produces the corresponding link layer
output, which is then used within the ns-2 network simulator via the
additionally developed ns-2 interface module. We first present the analytical
models for the link layer with bursty erasure packets and for the link layer
reliability mechanisms with bursty erasures. Then, we present details of the
TMT tool and our validation methodology, demonstrating that the selected
performance metrics (recovery delay and throughput efficiency) exhibit a good
match between the theoretical results and those obtained with TMT. Finally, we
present results showing the impact of different link layer reliability
mechanisms on the performance of TCP Cubic transport layer protocol.
