Self-tuning statistical resource allocation for multipoint network events

A method for allocating resources for a multipoint network event, said method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining available MCU capacity in a plurality of MCUs,
• receiving an allocation request from an allocation requestor for the multipoint network event,
• determining based on the received allocation request whether the multipoint network event can be started, if the multipoint network event can be started, the number of resources to allocate to start the multipoint network event, and, if the multipoint network event cannot be started, then informing the allocation requester that the multipoint network event cannot be started,
• allocating the number of resources to at least one MCU,
• debiting the allocated resources from the available MCU capacity,
• directing inbound users to the at least one MCU for participation in the multipoint network event.

A method for allocating resources for a plurality of multipoint network events, said method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining available MCU capacity in a plurality of MCUs, receiving allocation requests from an allocation requester for the plurality of multipoint network events,
• determining based on each of said plurality of received allocation requests, the number of resources to allocate to start the aforesaid multipoint network event,
• allocating the number of resources to at least one MCU of said plurality of MCUs for the aforesaid multipoint network event,
• at each of a plurality of modeling intervals during the aforesaid multipoint network event, adjusting the number of resources based on inbound users actually in the multipoint network event.