Virtual circuit management for multi-point delivery in a network system

In a network system including a plurality of endpoint sites, said network system including a plurality of open point-to-multipoint virtual circuits (VC)s between various endpoint sites, a method of optimizing traffic flow, comprising:

• determining whether a number of open VCs is at a VC limit;
• determining a set of possible VCs to said endpoint sites when the number is at the VC limit;
• estimating, for each of the possible VCs, a reduction of oversent data;
• from said set of possible VCs to said endpoint sites, selecting a new VC to open based on the estimating;
• from said plurality of open point-to-multipoint VCs, selecting an open VC to close;
• if said new VC is different from said open VC, then opening said new VC;
• moving appropriate traffic to said new VC;
• and
• closing said open VC.

A system for controlling traffic flow in a network system, said network system including a plurality of endpoint sites, and including a plurality of open point-to-multipoint virtual circuits (VC)s between various endpoint sites, said system comprising:

• an open VC table to hold entries indicating said open VCs, each entry also including an indication of oversent data on each of said open VCs;
• a possible VC table to hold entries indicating a set of possible VCs to said endpoint sites;
• a network traffic estimator to scan said open VC table and said possible VC table, and to determine, for each entry in said possible VC table, a reduction in oversent data which would occur if a new VC was opened corresponding to that entry;
• a VC instantiating component, to open a new VC corresponding to an entry in said possible VC table with a greatest reduction in oversent data;
• and
• a network traffic controller, to move appropriate network traffic to said newly opened VC.