Accounting for link utilization in scheduling and billing

Abstract

An apparatus for transferring data in a telecommunications network. The apparatus includes a memory in which a packet memory length is stored. The apparatus includes a mechanism for determining a link length for the packet that will be sent into the network based on the memory length and at least one parameter, where the link length correctly corresponds to the packet's physical line bandwidth usage in the network. The apparatus includes a mechanism for sending the packet having the link length to the network. A method for transferring data in a telecommunications network. The method includes the steps of storing in a memory a memory length of a packet. There is the step of determining a link length for the packet that will be sent into the network based on the memory length and at least one parameter, where the link length correctly corresponds to the packet's physical line bandwidth usage in the network There is the step of sending the packet having the link length to the network.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.