Intelligent adaptive transport layer to enhance performance using multiple channels

An apparatus for communicating information flows between network hosts over a network coupling the network hosts, the apparatus comprising:

• a first network host comprising at least one processor in communication with least one memory storing processor readable instructions, wherein the at least one processor is operably configured by the processor readable instructions to:
• maintain a plurality of connections to a second network host by performing, for each of said plurality of connections, the sub-steps of:
• establishing a connection to a second network host;
• repeatedly evaluating said connection to determine at least one performance metric associated with said connection;
• associating a state for said connection, based on the at least one performance metric associated with said connection, from among a plurality of states, wherein one or more first states from among said plurality of states represents a ready condition and one or more second states from among said plurality of states represents a not ready condition;
• receive a request to transfer an information flow to said second network host;
• assign said information flow to one or more of said connections that have been associated with one or more of said first states;
• and
• communicate data from said information flow over one or more of said plurality of connections based on said step of assigning.

A method of communicating a flow of information comprising a plurality of packets over a plurality of available connections in a system comprising a plurality of network hosts coupled to a network capable of communicating information between the hosts, wherein the system utilizes a plurality of connections between the network hosts, the method comprising:

• receiving a request to transfer an information flow between a first network host and a second network host, wherein said request is associated with performance requirements and application characteristics;
• breaking the information flow into a plurality of sub-flows, each comprising a sequence of packets, wherein the step of breaking is based on one or more of the performance requirements and application characteristics;
• assigning each of the plurality of sub-flows to a connection from among a plurality of connections between said first network host and said second network host;
• communicating data from said plurality of sub-flows over one or more of said plurality of connections based on said step of assigning.

An apparatus for communicating information flows between network hosts over a network coupling the network hosts, the apparatus comprising:

• a first network host comprising at least one processor in communication with least one memory storing processor readable instructions, wherein the at least one processor is operably configured by the processor readable instructions to:
• receive a request to transfer an information flow to a second network host, wherein said request is associated with performance requirements and application characteristics;
• break the information flow into a plurality of sub-flows, each comprising a sequence of packets, wherein the step of breaking is based on one or more of the performance requirements and application characteristics;
• assign each of the plurality of sub-flows to a connection from among a plurality of connections between said first network host and said second network host;
• communicate data from said plurality of sub-flows over one or more of said plurality of connections based on said step of assigning.