Routing of bursty data flows

A data processing system for routing a bursty data flow comprising a series of one or more data packets over a converged network comprising a plurality of communication networks, the data processing system comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions such that upon being executed by the at least one processor, the data processing system is at least configured to, for each of the series of data packets in turn:

• select which one of the plurality of communication networks to transmit that data packet over by:
• i) obtaining flow statistics indicating a current flow state of the bursty data flow;
• ii) performing a classification of the current flow state of the bursty data flow by selecting from a list of flow states in dependence on the flow statistics, the list of flow states comprising a start-up phase and an established phase;
• and
• iii) selecting the one of the plurality of communication networks in accordance with a bursty bonding policy which mandates selection of the one of the plurality of communication networks in dependence on said classification, wherein the bursty bonding policy is configured to result in transmission of the bursty data flow:
• over a first set of two or more of the plurality of networks while the current flow state is classified as start-up phase, and
• over a second set of the plurality of networks while the current flow state is classified as established phase, wherein the second set is smaller than the first set;
• then
• initiate transmission of the data packet over the one of the plurality of communication networks selected in step iii);
• and wherein:
• the flow statistics comprise:
• a current flow duration, and
• an indication of whether or not a burst+gap cycle has started;
• and
• the data processing system is further configured to:
• classify the bursty data flow as being in the start-up phase by determining that the current flow duration is below a threshold start-up flow duration and that the burst+gap cycle has not yet started;
• or
• classify the bursty data flow as being in the established phase by determining that the current flow duration is below the threshold start-up flow duration and that the burst+gap cycle has started.