US 5,633,861 A · Traffic management and congestion control for packet-based networks

Abstract

In a packet-based communications network (100), a virtual connection is established between a source node (102a) and a destination node (102b), which may traverse one or more intermediate nodes (105). During the flow of packets along the virtual connection in a forward direction, from the source node (102a) to the destination node (102b), each node measures the utilization of critical resources (CUF), and this utilization information is inserted into return packets flowing in the backward (return) direction, from the destination node (102b) to the source node (102b). CUF is indicative of the maximum utilization of any resource in the virtual connection forward path. If the network utilization information indicates that the resources of a virtual connection are under-utilized, the submission rate (SIR) of packets onto the virtual connection is increased. However, if the network utilization information indicates that the resources of the virtual connection are over-utilized, the submission rate of packets onto the network at the source node is reduced.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A system for traffic management and congestion control on a virtual connection of a packet-based communications network, comprising:

customer premises equipment for providing packets for transmission on the virtual connection, and for receiving packets transmitted on the virtual connection;
a source node for accepting packets from corresponding source node customer premises equipment, and for transmitting the packets over the virtual connection through the packet-based communications network at a variable submission information rate (SIR);
a destination node for accepting the packets transmitted in a forward direction over the virtual connection from said source node to said destination node, for providing the packets transmitted in the forward direction to corresponding destination node customer premises equipment connected thereto, and for transmitting return packets in a return direction over the virtual connection from said destination node to said source node;
and
means for measuring a channel utilization factor (CUF), which is directly related to the degree of utilization of network resources, during transmission of packets in said forward direction, and for inserting said channel utilization factor in return packets travelling in said return direction;
wherein said source node comprises means for controlling said submission information rate in response to said channel utilization factor contained in said return packets.

3 more elements

A method for traffic management and congestion control of packets traveling in a forward direction from a source node to a destination node on a virtual connection of a packet-based communications network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting the packets from the source node to the destination node on the virtual connection at a variable submission information rate (SIR);
measuring a channel utilization factor (CUF), which is directly related to the degree of utilization of network resources, during transmission of packets in said forward direction;
inserting said channel utilization factor in return packets travelling in a return direction from the destination node to the source node on the virtual connection;
and
adjusting said submission information rate in response to said channel utilization factor contained in said return packets.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Traffic management and congestion control for packet-based networks

Life of this patent

Traffic management and congestion control for packet-based networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46