System and Method for User Controlled Cost Based Network and Path Selection across Multiple Networks

A method for user controlled path selection to receive a network service, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a network node coupled to one or more links in a network, loading information from one or more neighbor nodes coupled to one or more neighbor links, the loading information indicating load of traffic at the one or more neighbor links;
• evaluating cost at the network node using local loading information for the one or more links and the received loading information for the one or more neighbor links;
• receiving a cost request from a user device for a service;
• and
• returning, in a response to the user device, cost information for the service from the evaluated cost at the network node.

A user device supporting controlled path selection to receive a network service, the user device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions to:
• send a cost request for a service to a network,
• receive cost information for the service from the network,
• determine, according to the cost information, cost for one or more paths across the network, and
• upon determining acceptable cost for a path from the paths, select the path for receiving the service.

A network component supporting controlled path selection to receive a network service, the network component comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions to:
• receive loading information from one or more neighbor nodes coupled to one or more neighbor links, the loading information indicating load of traffic at the one or more neighbor links;
• evaluate cost of one or more links at the network component using local loading information for the one or more links and the received loading information for the one or more neighbor links;
• receive a cost request for a service, the cost request sent from a user;
• and
• return, in a response to the user, cost information for the service from the evaluated cost at the network component.