Methods and apparatus for network use optimization

A method for optimizing network performance, comprising:

• receiving from a client one or more network use specifications;
• classifying data traffic for the client into one of a plurality of traffic classes based on one or more network use specifications and available network resources of the network, wherein the traffic classes are grouped into a class hierarchy tree including a root node and a second level of nodes below the root node and a second level of nodes below the root node in the class hierarchy tree, the second level of nodes including at least one of a time-sensitive, non-time-sensitive and default node;
• and
• controlling an amount of network resources that the data traffic can use based on the traffic class of the data traffic to produce a quality of service for each of the traffic classes.

A method for operating a network, comprising:

• collecting from a client prior use data of the network;
• generating a network performance specification for the client based on the prior use data, the network performance specification including at least a plurality of traffic classes and traffic parameters, wherein the traffic classes are grouped into a class hierarchy tree including a root node and a second level of nodes below the root node and a second level of nodes below the root node in the class hierarchy tree, the second level of nodes including at least one of a time-sensitive, non-time-sensitive and default node;
• and
• allocating network resources to the data traffic based on the network performance specification.