Adaptive edge-implemented traffic policy in a data processing network

A computer program product comprising instructions, executable by a processor and stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, for processing a network packet received by an edge device from a client, the instructions comprising instructions enabling the processor to:

• determine a category of the network packet;
• determine a value of a traffic state parameter, wherein the traffic state parameter is indicative of a level of traffic activity in a backbone network to which the edge device is connected and wherein the value of the traffic state parameter applies to all categories of network packets;
• determine a traffic policy applicable for the level of traffic activity and the category of the network packet;
• and
• determine whether to block the network packet from traversing the edge device based on the determined traffic policy;
• wherein determining the category comprises determining a transport protocol port number of the network packet.

An edge device for use in a data processing network, comprising:

• a backbone interface to communicate with a provider server via a backbone network;
• an access interface to communicate with a client via an access network;
• a processor in communication with the backbone interface and the access interface and configured to access a storage resource containing instructions, executable by the processor, wherein the instructions include instructions enabling the processor to:
• determine a category of the network packet;
• determine a value of a traffic state parameter, wherein the traffic state parameter is indicative of a level of traffic activity in a backbone network to which the edge device is connected and wherein the value of the traffic state parameter is the same for all categories of network packets;
• determine a traffic policy applicable for the level of traffic activity and the category of the network packet;
• and
• block or pass the network packet from traversing the edge device based on the determined traffic policy;
• wherein determining the category comprises determining a transport protocol port number of the network packet.