Traffic metering in data networks
US7349342B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L47/31
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for metering data packets having a plurality of different packet lengths in a data communications network. A token count TC is incremented at a token increment rate CIR subject to an upper limit CBS on the token count. On arrival of a packet of length L tokens, it is determined if both TC>0 and TC+n≧L, where n is a defined number of tokens. If so, the data packet is categorized as in profile and L tokens are subtracted from the token count TC. Otherwise the data packet is categorized out of profile. In some embodiments, n is set to a value in the range 0<n<(Lmax−1) where Lmax is the maximum length of data packets to be metered. In other embodiments, n is varied in the range 0≦n≦(Lmax−1) in dependence on at least one feedback signal indicating an operational condition in the network. The degree of conformance of the metering system is determined by the parameter n, whereby the conformance level can be tuned to particular multi-length packet environments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.