[rack] TLP: ACK Processing and PTO scheduling.

This change implements TLP details enumerated in
https://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-ietf-tcpm-rack-08#section-7.5.3

Fixes #5085

PiperOrigin-RevId: 357125037

6 files changed, 366 insertions, 49 deletions

diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/tcpip.go b/pkg/tcpip/tcpip.go
index d5c2b0487..ba063dc26 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/tcpip.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/tcpip.go
@@ -1731,6 +1731,10 @@ type TCPStats struct {
 	// recover from packet loss.
 	SACKRecovery *StatCounter
 
+	// TLPRecovery is the number of times recovery was accomplished by the tail
+	// loss probe.
+	TLPRecovery *StatCounter
+
 	// SlowStartRetransmits is the number of segments retransmitted in slow
 	// start.
 	SlowStartRetransmits *StatCounter
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/rack.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/rack.go
index 9959b60b8..ecabeceb4 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/rack.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/rack.go
@@ -263,7 +263,10 @@ func (s *sender) probeTimerExpired() tcpip.Error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	s.postXmit(dataSent)
+	// Whether or not the probe was sent, the sender must arm the resend timer,
+	// not the probe timer. This ensures that the sender does not send repeated,
+	// back-to-back tail loss probes.
+	s.postXmit(dataSent, false /* shouldScheduleProbe */)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -477,7 +480,5 @@ func (rc *rackControl) DoRecovery(_ *segment, fastRetransmit bool) {
 		snd.sendSegment(seg)
 	}
 
-	// Rearm the RTO.
-	snd.resendTimer.enable(snd.rto)
-	snd.postXmit(dataSent)
+	snd.postXmit(dataSent, true /* shouldScheduleProbe */)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/sack_recovery.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/sack_recovery.go
index 7e813fa96..9d406b0bc 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/sack_recovery.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/sack_recovery.go
@@ -116,5 +116,5 @@ func (sr *sackRecovery) DoRecovery(rcvdSeg *segment, fastRetransmit bool) {
 	// RFC 6675 recovery algorithm step C 1-5.
 	end := snd.sndUna.Add(snd.sndWnd)
 	dataSent := sr.handleSACKRecovery(snd.maxPayloadSize, end)
-	snd.postXmit(dataSent)
+	snd.postXmit(dataSent, true /* shouldScheduleProbe */)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/snd.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/snd.go
index 7911e6b85..83c8deb0e 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/snd.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/snd.go
@@ -966,7 +966,7 @@ func (s *sender) disableZeroWindowProbing() {
 	s.resendTimer.disable()
 }
 
-func (s *sender) postXmit(dataSent bool) {
+func (s *sender) postXmit(dataSent bool, shouldScheduleProbe bool) {
 	if dataSent {
 		// We sent data, so we should stop the keepalive timer to ensure
 		// that no keepalives are sent while there is pending data.
@@ -980,13 +980,22 @@ func (s *sender) postXmit(dataSent bool) {
 		s.enableZeroWindowProbing()
 	}
 
-	// Enable the timer if we have pending data and it's not enabled yet.
-	if !s.resendTimer.enabled() && s.sndUna != s.sndNxt {
-		s.resendTimer.enable(s.rto)
-	}
 	// If we have no more pending data, start the keepalive timer.
 	if s.sndUna == s.sndNxt {
 		s.ep.resetKeepaliveTimer(false)
+	} else {
+		// Enable timers if we have pending data.
+		if shouldScheduleProbe && s.shouldSchedulePTO() {
+			// Schedule PTO after transmitting new data that wasn't itself a TLP probe.
+			s.schedulePTO()
+		} else if !s.resendTimer.enabled() {
+			s.probeTimer.disable()
+			if s.outstanding > 0 {
+				// Enable the resend timer if it's not enabled yet and there is
+				// outstanding data.
+				s.resendTimer.enable(s.rto)
+			}
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1029,7 +1038,7 @@ func (s *sender) sendData() {
 		s.writeNext = seg.Next()
 	}
 
-	s.postXmit(dataSent)
+	s.postXmit(dataSent, true /* shouldScheduleProbe */)
 }
 
 func (s *sender) enterRecovery() {
@@ -1052,6 +1061,10 @@ func (s *sender) enterRecovery() {
 		s.ep.stack.Stats().TCP.SACKRecovery.Increment()
 		// Set TLPRxtOut to false according to
 		// https://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-ietf-tcpm-rack-08#section-7.6.1.
+		if s.rc.tlpRxtOut {
+			// The tail loss probe triggered recovery.
+			s.ep.stack.Stats().TCP.TLPRecovery.Increment()
+		}
 		s.rc.tlpRxtOut = false
 		return
 	}
@@ -1415,9 +1428,16 @@ func (s *sender) handleRcvdSegment(rcvdSeg *segment) {
 			s.updateRTO(elapsed)
 		}
 
-		// When an ack is received we must rearm the timer.
-		// RFC 6298 5.3
-		s.resendTimer.enable(s.rto)
+		if s.shouldSchedulePTO() {
+			// Schedule PTO upon receiving an ACK that cumulatively acknowledges data.
+			// See https://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-ietf-tcpm-rack-08#section-7.5.1.
+			s.schedulePTO()
+		} else {
+			// When an ack is received we must rearm the timer.
+			// RFC 6298 5.3
+			s.probeTimer.disable()
+			s.resendTimer.enable(s.rto)
+		}
 
 		// Remove all acknowledged data from the write list.
 		acked := s.sndUna.Size(ack)
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_rack_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_rack_test.go
index 92f0f6cee..3c13fc8a3 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_rack_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_rack_test.go
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func TestRACKDetectReorder(t *testing.T) {
 	<-probeDone
 }
 
-func sendAndReceive(t *testing.T, c *context.Context, numPackets int, enableRACK bool) []byte {
+func sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t *testing.T, c *context.Context, numPackets int, enableRACK bool) []byte {
 	setStackSACKPermitted(t, c, true)
 	if enableRACK {
 		setStackRACKPermitted(t, c)
@@ -213,6 +213,291 @@ func addDSACKSeenCheckerProbe(t *testing.T, c *context.Context, numACK int, prob
 	})
 }
 
+// TestRACKTLPRecovery tests that RACK sends a tail loss probe (TLP) in the
+// case of a tail loss. This simulates a situation where the TLP is able to
+// insinuate the SACK holes and sender is able to retransmit the rest.
+func TestRACKTLPRecovery(t *testing.T) {
+	c := context.New(t, uint32(mtu))
+	defer c.Cleanup()
+
+	// Send 8 packets.
+	numPackets := 8
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+
+	// Packets [6-8] are lost. Send cumulative ACK for [1-5].
+	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
+	bytesRead := 5 * maxPayload
+	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+
+	// PTO should fire and send #8 packet as a TLP.
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, 7*maxPayload, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+	var info tcpip.TCPInfoOption
+	if err := c.EP.GetSockOpt(&info); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSockOpt failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Send the SACK after RTT because RACK RFC states that if the ACK for a
+	// retransmission arrives before the smoothed RTT then the sender should not
+	// update RACK state as it could be a spurious inference.
+	time.Sleep(info.RTT)
+
+	// Okay, let the sender know we got #8 using a SACK block.
+	eighthPStart := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(7*maxPayload))
+	eighthPEnd := eighthPStart.Add(maxPayload)
+	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{eighthPStart, eighthPEnd}})
+
+	// The sender should be entering RACK based loss-recovery and sending #6 and
+	// #7 one after another.
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, bytesRead, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+	bytesRead += maxPayload
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, bytesRead, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+	bytesRead += 2 * maxPayload
+	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+
+	metricPollFn := func() error {
+		tcpStats := c.Stack().Stats().TCP
+		stats := []struct {
+			stat *tcpip.StatCounter
+			name string
+			want uint64
+		}{
+			// One fast retransmit after the SACK.
+			{tcpStats.FastRetransmit, "stats.TCP.FastRetransmit", 1},
+			// Recovery should be SACK recovery.
+			{tcpStats.SACKRecovery, "stats.TCP.SACKRecovery", 1},
+			// Packets 6, 7 and 8 were retransmitted.
+			{tcpStats.Retransmits, "stats.TCP.Retransmits", 3},
+			// TLP recovery should have been detected.
+			{tcpStats.TLPRecovery, "stats.TCP.TLPRecovery", 1},
+			// No RTOs should have occurred.
+			{tcpStats.Timeouts, "stats.TCP.Timeouts", 0},
+		}
+		for _, s := range stats {
+			if got, want := s.stat.Value(), s.want; got != want {
+				return fmt.Errorf("got %s.Value() = %d, want = %d", s.name, got, want)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := testutil.Poll(metricPollFn, 1*time.Second); err != nil {
+		t.Error(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestRACKTLPFallbackRTO tests that RACK sends a tail loss probe (TLP) in the
+// case of a tail loss. This simulates a situation where either the TLP or its
+// ACK is lost. The sender should retransmit when RTO fires.
+func TestRACKTLPFallbackRTO(t *testing.T) {
+	c := context.New(t, uint32(mtu))
+	defer c.Cleanup()
+
+	// Send 8 packets.
+	numPackets := 8
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+
+	// Packets [6-8] are lost. Send cumulative ACK for [1-5].
+	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
+	bytesRead := 5 * maxPayload
+	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+
+	// PTO should fire and send #8 packet as a TLP.
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, 7*maxPayload, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+
+	// Either the TLP or the ACK the receiver sent with SACK blocks was lost.
+
+	// Confirm that RTO fires and retransmits packet #6.
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, bytesRead, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+
+	metricPollFn := func() error {
+		tcpStats := c.Stack().Stats().TCP
+		stats := []struct {
+			stat *tcpip.StatCounter
+			name string
+			want uint64
+		}{
+			// No fast retransmits happened.
+			{tcpStats.FastRetransmit, "stats.TCP.FastRetransmit", 0},
+			// No SACK recovery happened.
+			{tcpStats.SACKRecovery, "stats.TCP.SACKRecovery", 0},
+			// TLP was unsuccessful.
+			{tcpStats.TLPRecovery, "stats.TCP.TLPRecovery", 0},
+			// RTO should have fired.
+			{tcpStats.Timeouts, "stats.TCP.Timeouts", 1},
+		}
+		for _, s := range stats {
+			if got, want := s.stat.Value(), s.want; got != want {
+				return fmt.Errorf("got %s.Value() = %d, want = %d", s.name, got, want)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := testutil.Poll(metricPollFn, 1*time.Second); err != nil {
+		t.Error(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestNoTLPRecoveryOnDSACK tests the scenario where the sender speculates a
+// tail loss and sends a TLP. Everything is received and acked. The probe
+// segment is DSACKed. No fast recovery should be triggered in this case.
+func TestNoTLPRecoveryOnDSACK(t *testing.T) {
+	c := context.New(t, uint32(mtu))
+	defer c.Cleanup()
+
+	// Send 8 packets.
+	numPackets := 8
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+
+	// Packets [1-5] are received first. [6-8] took a detour and will take a
+	// while to arrive. Ack [1-5].
+	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
+	bytesRead := 5 * maxPayload
+	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+
+	// The tail loss probe (#8 packet) is received.
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, 7*maxPayload, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+
+	// Now that all 8 packets are received + duplicate 8th packet, send ack.
+	bytesRead += 3 * maxPayload
+	eighthPStart := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(7*maxPayload))
+	eighthPEnd := eighthPStart.Add(maxPayload)
+	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{eighthPStart, eighthPEnd}})
+
+	// Wait for RTO and make sure that nothing else is received.
+	var info tcpip.TCPInfoOption
+	if err := c.EP.GetSockOpt(&info); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetSockOpt failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if p := c.GetPacketWithTimeout(info.RTO); p != nil {
+		t.Errorf("received an unexpected packet: %v", p)
+	}
+
+	metricPollFn := func() error {
+		tcpStats := c.Stack().Stats().TCP
+		stats := []struct {
+			stat *tcpip.StatCounter
+			name string
+			want uint64
+		}{
+			// Make sure no recovery was entered.
+			{tcpStats.FastRetransmit, "stats.TCP.FastRetransmit", 0},
+			{tcpStats.SACKRecovery, "stats.TCP.SACKRecovery", 0},
+			{tcpStats.TLPRecovery, "stats.TCP.TLPRecovery", 0},
+			// RTO should not have fired.
+			{tcpStats.Timeouts, "stats.TCP.Timeouts", 0},
+			// Only #8 was retransmitted.
+			{tcpStats.Retransmits, "stats.TCP.Retransmits", 1},
+		}
+		for _, s := range stats {
+			if got, want := s.stat.Value(), s.want; got != want {
+				return fmt.Errorf("got %s.Value() = %d, want = %d", s.name, got, want)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := testutil.Poll(metricPollFn, 1*time.Second); err != nil {
+		t.Error(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestNoTLPOnSACK tests the scenario where there is not exactly a tail loss
+// due to the presence of multiple SACK holes. In such a scenario, TLP should
+// not be sent.
+func TestNoTLPOnSACK(t *testing.T) {
+	c := context.New(t, uint32(mtu))
+	defer c.Cleanup()
+
+	// Send 8 packets.
+	numPackets := 8
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+
+	// Packets [1-5] and #7 were received. #6 and #8 were dropped.
+	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
+	bytesRead := 5 * maxPayload
+	seventhStart := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(6*maxPayload))
+	seventhEnd := seventhStart.Add(maxPayload)
+	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{seventhStart, seventhEnd}})
+
+	// The sender should retransmit #6. If the sender sends a TLP, then #8 will
+	// received and fail this test.
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, 5*maxPayload, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+
+	metricPollFn := func() error {
+		tcpStats := c.Stack().Stats().TCP
+		stats := []struct {
+			stat *tcpip.StatCounter
+			name string
+			want uint64
+		}{
+			// #6 was retransmitted due to SACK recovery.
+			{tcpStats.FastRetransmit, "stats.TCP.FastRetransmit", 1},
+			{tcpStats.SACKRecovery, "stats.TCP.SACKRecovery", 1},
+			{tcpStats.TLPRecovery, "stats.TCP.TLPRecovery", 0},
+			// RTO should not have fired.
+			{tcpStats.Timeouts, "stats.TCP.Timeouts", 0},
+			// Only #6 was retransmitted.
+			{tcpStats.Retransmits, "stats.TCP.Retransmits", 1},
+		}
+		for _, s := range stats {
+			if got, want := s.stat.Value(), s.want; got != want {
+				return fmt.Errorf("got %s.Value() = %d, want = %d", s.name, got, want)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := testutil.Poll(metricPollFn, 1*time.Second); err != nil {
+		t.Error(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestRACKOnePacketTailLoss tests the trivial case of a tail loss of only one
+// packet. The probe should itself repairs the loss instead of having to go
+// into any recovery.
+func TestRACKOnePacketTailLoss(t *testing.T) {
+	c := context.New(t, uint32(mtu))
+	defer c.Cleanup()
+
+	// Send 3 packets.
+	numPackets := 3
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+
+	// Packets [1-2] are received. #3 is lost.
+	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
+	bytesRead := 2 * maxPayload
+	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+
+	// PTO should fire and send #3 packet as a TLP.
+	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, 2*maxPayload, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
+	bytesRead += maxPayload
+	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+
+	metricPollFn := func() error {
+		tcpStats := c.Stack().Stats().TCP
+		stats := []struct {
+			stat *tcpip.StatCounter
+			name string
+			want uint64
+		}{
+			// #3 was retransmitted as TLP.
+			{tcpStats.FastRetransmit, "stats.TCP.FastRetransmit", 0},
+			{tcpStats.SACKRecovery, "stats.TCP.SACKRecovery", 0},
+			{tcpStats.TLPRecovery, "stats.TCP.TLPRecovery", 0},
+			// RTO should not have fired.
+			{tcpStats.Timeouts, "stats.TCP.Timeouts", 0},
+			// Only #3 was retransmitted.
+			{tcpStats.Retransmits, "stats.TCP.Retransmits", 1},
+		}
+		for _, s := range stats {
+			if got, want := s.stat.Value(), s.want; got != want {
+				return fmt.Errorf("got %s.Value() = %d, want = %d", s.name, got, want)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := testutil.Poll(metricPollFn, 1*time.Second); err != nil {
+		t.Error(err)
+	}
+}
+
 // TestRACKDetectDSACK tests that RACK detects DSACK with duplicate segments.
 // See: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2883#section-4.1.1.
 func TestRACKDetectDSACK(t *testing.T) {
@@ -224,22 +509,24 @@ func TestRACKDetectDSACK(t *testing.T) {
 	addDSACKSeenCheckerProbe(t, c, ackNumToVerify, probeDone)
 
 	numPackets := 8
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
-	// Cumulative ACK for [1-5] packets.
+	// Cumulative ACK for [1-5] packets and SACK #8 packet (to prevent TLP).
 	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
 	bytesRead := 5 * maxPayload
-	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+	eighthPStart := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(7*maxPayload))
+	eighthPEnd := eighthPStart.Add(maxPayload)
+	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{eighthPStart, eighthPEnd}})
 
-	// Expect retransmission of #6 packet.
+	// Expect retransmission of #6 packet after RTO expires.
 	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, bytesRead, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
 
 	// Send DSACK block for #6 packet indicating both
 	// initial and retransmitted packet are received and
-	// packets [1-7] are received.
-	start := c.IRS.Add(seqnum.Size(bytesRead))
+	// packets [1-8] are received.
+	start := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(bytesRead))
 	end := start.Add(maxPayload)
-	bytesRead += 2 * maxPayload
+	bytesRead += 3 * maxPayload
 	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}})
 
 	// Wait for the probe function to finish processing the
@@ -265,12 +552,14 @@ func TestRACKDetectDSACKWithOutOfOrder(t *testing.T) {
 	addDSACKSeenCheckerProbe(t, c, ackNumToVerify, probeDone)
 
 	numPackets := 10
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
-	// Cumulative ACK for [1-5] packets.
+	// Cumulative ACK for [1-5] packets and SACK for #7 packet (to prevent TLP).
 	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
 	bytesRead := 5 * maxPayload
-	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+	seventhPStart := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(6*maxPayload))
+	seventhPEnd := seventhPStart.Add(maxPayload)
+	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{seventhPStart, seventhPEnd}})
 
 	// Expect retransmission of #6 packet.
 	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, bytesRead, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
@@ -278,12 +567,12 @@ func TestRACKDetectDSACKWithOutOfOrder(t *testing.T) {
 	// Send DSACK block for #6 packet indicating both
 	// initial and retransmitted packet are received and
 	// packets [1-7] are received.
-	start := c.IRS.Add(seqnum.Size(bytesRead))
+	start := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(bytesRead))
 	end := start.Add(maxPayload)
 	bytesRead += 2 * maxPayload
-	// Send DSACK block for #6 along with out of
-	// order #9 packet is received.
-	start1 := c.IRS.Add(seqnum.Size(bytesRead) + maxPayload)
+	// Send DSACK block for #6 along with SACK for out of
+	// order #9 packet.
+	start1 := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(bytesRead) + maxPayload)
 	end1 := start1.Add(maxPayload)
 	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}, {start1, end1}})
 
@@ -310,7 +599,7 @@ func TestRACKDetectDSACKWithOutOfOrderDup(t *testing.T) {
 	addDSACKSeenCheckerProbe(t, c, ackNumToVerify, probeDone)
 
 	numPackets := 10
-	sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// ACK [1-5] packets.
 	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
@@ -354,7 +643,7 @@ func TestRACKDetectDSACKSingleDup(t *testing.T) {
 	addDSACKSeenCheckerProbe(t, c, ackNumToVerify, probeDone)
 
 	numPackets := 4
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// Send ACK for #1 packet.
 	bytesRead := maxPayload
@@ -403,7 +692,7 @@ func TestRACKDetectDSACKDupWithCumulativeACK(t *testing.T) {
 	addDSACKSeenCheckerProbe(t, c, ackNumToVerify, probeDone)
 
 	numPackets := 6
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// Send ACK for #1 packet.
 	bytesRead := maxPayload
@@ -457,7 +746,7 @@ func TestRACKDetectDSACKDup(t *testing.T) {
 	addDSACKSeenCheckerProbe(t, c, ackNumToVerify, probeDone)
 
 	numPackets := 7
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// Send ACK for #1 packet.
 	bytesRead := maxPayload
@@ -525,12 +814,14 @@ func TestRACKWithInvalidDSACKBlock(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	numPackets := 10
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
-	// Cumulative ACK for [1-5] packets.
+	// Cumulative ACK for [1-5] packets and SACK for #7 packet (to prevent TLP).
 	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
 	bytesRead := 5 * maxPayload
-	c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
+	seventhPStart := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(6*maxPayload))
+	seventhPEnd := seventhPStart.Add(maxPayload)
+	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{seventhPStart, seventhPEnd}})
 
 	// Expect retransmission of #6 packet.
 	c.ReceiveAndCheckPacketWithOptions(data, bytesRead, maxPayload, tsOptionSize)
@@ -538,12 +829,12 @@ func TestRACKWithInvalidDSACKBlock(t *testing.T) {
 	// Send DSACK block for #6 packet indicating both
 	// initial and retransmitted packet are received and
 	// packets [1-7] are received.
-	start := c.IRS.Add(seqnum.Size(bytesRead))
+	start := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(bytesRead))
 	end := start.Add(maxPayload)
 	bytesRead += 2 * maxPayload
 
-	// Send DSACK block as second block.
-	start1 := c.IRS.Add(seqnum.Size(bytesRead) + maxPayload)
+	// Send DSACK block as second block. The first block is a SACK for #9 packet.
+	start1 := c.IRS.Add(1 + seqnum.Size(bytesRead) + maxPayload)
 	end1 := start1.Add(maxPayload)
 	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, bytesRead, []header.SACKBlock{{start1, end1}, {start, end}})
 
@@ -588,7 +879,7 @@ func TestRACKCheckReorderWindow(t *testing.T) {
 	addReorderWindowCheckerProbe(c, ackNumToVerify, probeDone)
 
 	const numPackets = 7
-	sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// Send ACK for #1 packet.
 	bytesRead := maxPayload
@@ -617,7 +908,7 @@ func TestRACKWithDuplicateACK(t *testing.T) {
 	defer c.Cleanup()
 
 	const numPackets = 4
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, true /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// Send three duplicate ACKs to trigger fast recovery. The first
 	// segment is considered as lost and will be retransmitted after
@@ -680,7 +971,7 @@ func TestRACKUpdateSackedOut(t *testing.T) {
 		ackNum++
 	})
 
-	sendAndReceive(t, c, 8, true /* enableRACK */)
+	sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, 8, true /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// ACK for [3-5] packets.
 	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_sack_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_sack_test.go
index f15d0a2d1..81f800cad 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_sack_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/tcp_sack_test.go
@@ -409,6 +409,7 @@ func TestSACKRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Do slow start for a few iterations.
+	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)
 	expected := tcp.InitialCwnd
 	bytesRead := 0
 	for i := 0; i < iterations; i++ {
@@ -416,7 +417,7 @@ func TestSACKRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 		if i > 0 {
 			// Acknowledge all the data received so far if not on
 			// first iteration.
-			c.SendAck(790, bytesRead)
+			c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
 		}
 
 		// Read all packets expected on this iteration. Don't
@@ -438,7 +439,7 @@ func TestSACKRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 	start := c.IRS.Add(seqnum.Size(rtxOffset) + 30 + 1)
 	end := start.Add(10)
 	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
-		c.SendAckWithSACK(790, rtxOffset, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}})
+		c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, rtxOffset, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}})
 		end = end.Add(10)
 	}
 
@@ -475,7 +476,7 @@ func TestSACKRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 	// the cwnd at this point after entering recovery should be half of the
 	// outstanding number of packets in flight.
 	for i := 0; i < 7; i++ {
-		c.SendAckWithSACK(790, rtxOffset, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}})
+		c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, rtxOffset, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}})
 		end = end.Add(10)
 	}
 
@@ -497,7 +498,7 @@ func TestSACKRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 	// segment is retransmitted per ACK.
 	start = c.IRS.Add(seqnum.Size(rtxOffset) + 30 + 1)
 	end = start.Add(60)
-	c.SendAckWithSACK(790, rtxOffset, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}})
+	c.SendAckWithSACK(seq, rtxOffset, []header.SACKBlock{{start, end}})
 
 	// At this point, we acked expected/2 packets and we SACKED 6 packets and
 	// 3 segments were considered lost due to the SACK block we sent.
@@ -557,7 +558,7 @@ func TestSACKRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 	c.CheckNoPacketTimeout("More packets received than expected during recovery after partial ack for this cwnd.", 50*time.Millisecond)
 
 	// Acknowledge all pending data to recover point.
-	c.SendAck(790, recover)
+	c.SendAck(seq, recover)
 
 	// At this point, the cwnd should reset to expected/2 and there are 9
 	// packets outstanding.
@@ -579,7 +580,7 @@ func TestSACKRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 		c.CheckNoPacketTimeout(fmt.Sprintf("More packets received(after deflation) than expected %d for this cwnd and iteration: %d.", expected, i), 50*time.Millisecond)
 
 		// Acknowledge all the data received so far.
-		c.SendAck(790, bytesRead)
+		c.SendAck(seq, bytesRead)
 
 		// In cogestion avoidance, the packets trains increase by 1 in
 		// each iteration.
@@ -603,7 +604,7 @@ func TestRecoveryEntry(t *testing.T) {
 	defer c.Cleanup()
 
 	numPackets := 5
-	data := sendAndReceive(t, c, numPackets, false /* enableRACK */)
+	data := sendAndReceiveWithSACK(t, c, numPackets, false /* enableRACK */)
 
 	// Ack #1 packet.
 	seq := seqnum.Value(context.TestInitialSequenceNumber).Add(1)