Method and apparatus for optimizing data transmission costs

A computer program product residing on a computer usable medium for optimizing data transmission costs, said computer program product comprising:

• in response to data being transmitted in a compressed mode,
• program code means for estimating value of savings achieved in said compressed mode;
• and
• program code means for switching data transmissions from said compressed mode to an uncompressed mode when said estimated value of savings achieved in said compressed mode is lesser than a predetermined threshold saving value set for compressed data transmissions;
• and
• in response to data being transmitted in said uncompressed mode,
• program code means for estimating value of savings achieved in said uncompressed mode;
• and
• program code means for switching from said uncompressed mode to said compressed mode when said estimated value of savings achieved in said uncompressed mode is greater than a predetermined threshold saving value set for uncompressed data transmissions.

An apparatus for optimizing data transmission costs, said apparatus comprising:

• a compressed data transmission path and an uncompressed data transmission path, wherein said compressed data transmission path includes a data compressor;
• a switching means configured to be selectively connected to either said compressed data transmission path or said uncompressed data transmission path;
• and
• a compressibility testing means for estimating a value of savings achieved in a compressed mode and an uncompressed mode and for comparing said value of savings achieved with predetermined threshold saving values set for said compressed mode and said uncompressed mode.