Predicting wait time for new session initiation during increased data traffic latency

A method for providing a multi-client network service, the method comprising:

• providing, by a server, the multi-client network service to a plurality of existing users over at least one data network;
• receiving, by the server, a plurality of requests to join a multi-client network service from a plurality of new users such that the plurality of new users can access the multi-client network service similarly to how the plurality of existing users access the multi-client network service;
• obtaining, by the server, a load metric from the plurality of requests to join the multi-client network service, wherein the load metric characterizes at least a traffic load on the multi-client network service;
• collecting the load metric, by the server, to obtain historical data characterizing a demand in the multi-client network service over time;
• analyzing, by the server, the demand in the multi-client network service over time to predict a future load demand in the multi-client network service;
• individually and independently issuing, by the server, at least one timestamp to each new user of a plurality of new users upon receipt of the requests to join the multi-client network service from the plurality of the new users, the at least one timestamp having an expiration time, the expiration time being extended by the at least one processor upon receiving, from the plurality of the new users, one or more retry requests to join the multi-client network service before the load metric meets a threshold load value;
• calculating, by the server, an estimated wait time for each of the plurality of new users based on the load metric, the future load demand, and the at least one timestamp of each of the plurality of new users, wherein respective wait messages include the estimated wait time individually calculated for each of the plurality of new users;
• in response to determining that the load metric is above the threshold load value, causes delivery of a wait message to at least one of the plurality of new users and causes keeping the at least one of the plurality of new users in a wait mode for a predetermined period or until the load metric changes to meet or below the threshold value;
• and
• in response to determining that the load metric meets or is below the threshold load value, determining based on the at least one timestamp of the plurality of new users whether to enable their respective new users to join the multi-client network service.

A non-transitory processor-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement a method, the method comprising:

• providing a multi-client network service to a plurality of existing users over at least one data network;
• receiving a plurality of requests to join a multi-client network service from a plurality of new users such that the plurality of new users can access the multi-client network service similarly to how the plurality of existing users access the multi-client network service;
• obtaining a load metric from the plurality of requests to join the multi-client network service, wherein the load metric characterizes at least a traffic load on the multi-client network service;
• collecting the load metric to obtain historical data characterizing a demand in the multi-client network service over time;
• analyzing the demand in the multi-client network service over time to predict a future load demand in the multi-client network service;
• individually and independently issuing at least one timestamp to the plurality of new users upon receipt of their respective plurality of requests to join the multi-client network service, the at least one timestamp having an expiration time, the expiration time being extended by the at least one processor upon receiving, from the plurality of the new users, one or more retry requests to join the multi-client network service before the load metric meets a threshold load value;
• calculating an estimated wait time for each of the plurality of new users based on the load metric, the future load demand, and the at least one timestamp of each of the plurality of new users, wherein respective wait messages include the estimated wait time individually calculated for each of the plurality of new users;
• in response to determining that the load metric is above the threshold load value, causes delivery of a wait message to at least one of the plurality of new users and causes keeping the at least one of the plurality of new users in a wait mode for a predetermined period or until the load metric changes to meet or below the threshold value;
• and
• in response to determining that the load metric meets or is below the threshold load value, determining based on the at least one timestamp of the plurality of new users whether to enable their respective new users to join the multi-client network service.