Aggregate network resource utilization control scheme

A method comprising:

• allocating network bandwidth to a plurality of partitions arranged in a hierarchical configuration, wherein each partition in the plurality of partitions is associated with a respective weighting value and a respective aggregate bandwidth allocation based on a weighted fair share allocation scheme;
• receiving packets;
• associating the packets with corresponding data flows, each such data flow associated with packets originating from a common source and targeting a common destination;
• associating the data flows with corresponding partitions of the plurality of partitions;
• enforcing the aggregate bandwidth allocations of the partitions on the associated data flows;
• monitoring bandwidth demand of each partition in the plurality of partitions relative to the weighted fair share bandwidth allocation scheme;
• adding packets to a high priority queue within a first partition based on a determination that a measured data rate for the first partition is less than a fair share bandwidth allocation for the first partition, the first partition including the high priority queue and a low priority queue;
• adding packets to a low priority queue within the first partition based on a determination that a measured data rate for the first partition is not less than a fair share bandwidth allocation for the first partition, the first partition including a high priority queue and the low priority queue;
• and
• dynamically allocating unutilized bandwidth to partitions of the plurality of partitions with a bandwidth demand that exceeds the respective aggregate bandwidth allocation, wherein the unutilized bandwidth is allocated based on the weighting values associated with the partitions.