Adaptive bandwidth network management for VOIP network

A call server, comprising:

• an network interface, for receiving quality of server (QoS) information from a second end-user communication device, the QoS information about an active communications link between a first zone and a second zone in a packet-based communications network, and for receiving a call setup message from a first end-user communications device requesting a new call over the communications link between the first zone and the second zone;
• a processor coupled to the network interface for processing the received QoS information and the call setup message, and determining whether to accept or reject the new call over the communications link between the first zone and the second zone;
• and wherein the processor is further operable for:
• storing a maximum interzone bandwidth value representing a maximum amount of allowable bandwidth on the communications link between the two zones, lowering the maximum bandwidth value to a sliding maximum interzone bandwidth value in response to the received QoS information, determining an amount of bandwidth presently being utilized across the communications link between the two zones, determining an amount of bandwidth necessary to handle the new call, and rejecting the new call when the sum of the amount of bandwidth presently being utilized and the amount of bandwidth necessary for the new call exceeds the sliding maximum interzone bandwidth value.

A Non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executed by a processor to:

• receive quality of service (QoS) information from one or more end-user communications devices, the QoS information relating to active communications across a communications link between two zones in the packet-based communications network;
• store a maximum interzone bandwidth value representing a maximum amount of allowable bandwidth on the communications link between the two zones;
• lower the maximum bandwidth value to a sliding maximum interzone bandwidth value in response to the received QoS information;
• determine an amount of bandwidth presently being utilized across the communications link between the two zones;
• receive a request for a new call between the two zones;
• determine an amount of bandwidth necessary to handle the new call;
• and reject the new call when the sum of the amount of bandwidth presently being utilized and the amount of bandwidth necessary for the new call exceeds the sliding maximum interzone bandwidth value.