System and method for connection capacity reassignment in a multi-tier data processing system network

A computer readable recordable medium encoded with computer executable instructions for reassigning connection capacity between prioritized connection classes in a multi-tier network system, the computer executable instructions comprising:

• first instructions that allocate a first transmission capacity to connections of a first priority class terminated by a first node and a second node in the network;
• second instructions that allocate a second transmission capacity to connections of a second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node;
• third instructions that identify a first traffic load of the first priority class that exceeds a predefined threshold;
• fourth instructions that, responsive to the third instructions identifying the first traffic load, reassign a portion of the second transmission capacity to the first priority class;
• and
• responsive to reassigning the portion, directing a third node to reassign a portion of a transmission capacity of connections of the second priority class terminated by the third node to connections of the first priority class terminated by the third node.

A data processing system for reassigning connection capacity between prioritized connection classes in a network system, comprising:

• a communication interface connected with a communication medium, wherein the communication interface has a transmission capacity partitioned into a first transmission capacity of a first priority and a second transmission capacity of a second priority;
• a memory that contains a set of instructions for reassigning connection capacities between the first priority and the second priority;
• and
• a processing unit that, responsive to execution of the set of instructions, allocates a first transmission capacity to connections of a first priority class terminated by a first node and a second node in the network;
• allocates a second transmission capacity to connections of a second priority class terminated by the first node and the second node;
• identifies a first traffic load of the first priority class that exceeds a predefined threshold;
• responsive to identifying the first traffic load, reassigns a portion of the second transmission capacity to the first priority class;
• and responsive to reassigning the portion, directs a third node to reassign a portion of a transmission capacity of connections of the second priority class terminated by the third node to connections of the first priority class terminated by the third node.