Allocating communication traffic
AssigneeBritish Telecommunications public limited company
InventorDavid Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Communication traffic is allocated through a network of interconnected nodes. A communication path may be established between terminals via a plurality of routes. Processors are provided for processing parameters for portions of a set of potential routes to determine a notional cost of using each of these routes. An optimal level of traffic is identified for each route portion and a parameter (such as notional route length) is adjusted to make use of the route more costly if the traffic for that portion exceeds the notional value and, in addition, if the traffic for the portion falls below the optimum value, a route is then selected with reference to route cost comparisons.
Claims16
A method for selecting one of a plurality of possible routes through a communications network from a first node to a second node, said method comprising the steps of:
- defining a relationship between a range of costs for routes and the traffic density for routes, said relationship being represented by a curve having at least one point of inflection;
- monitoring and using traffic density for each of said plurality of possible routes to establish the cost of each said possible route in accordance with said relationship;
- and
- selecting one of said plurality of possible routes in dependence on the cost of each said possible route as established by said relationship.
Apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of possible routes through a communications network from a first node to a second node, said apparatus comprising:
- means for defining a relationship between a range of costs for routes and the traffic density for routes, said relationship being represented by a curve having at least one point of inflection;
- means for monitoring and using traffic density for each of said plurality of possible routes to establish the cost of each said possible route in accordance with said relationship;
- and
- means for selecting one of said plurality of possible routes in dependence on the cost of each said possible route as established by said relationship.
A method for calculating costs of each of a plurality of possible routes through a communications network from a first node to a second node, said method comprising the steps of:
- defining a relationship between a range of costs for routes and the traffic density for routes, said relationship being represented by a curve having at least one point of inflection;
- and
- using the traffic density for each of said plurality of possible routes to establish the cost of each said possible route in accordance with said relationship.
Apparatus for calculating costs of each of a plurality of possible routes through a communications network from a first node to a second node, said apparatus comprising:
- means for defining a relationship between a range of costs for routes and the traffic density for routes, said relationship being represented by a curve having at least one point of inflection;
- and
- means for using the traffic density for each of said plurality of possible routes to establish the cost of each said possible route in accordance with said defining means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.