Patent · US Active

Method for determining resource use in a network

US7535838B1 · kind B1 · utility

6Cited by
4References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2004
Grant dateMay 19, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L47/125
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for ascertaining the use of resources on a network having multiple paths across which data can pass. Each alternative path across the network is provided with a different address or port at a server or anchor point, such that, when a data packet is sent to a particular address it will travel across a certain path. As each path is associated with its own individual port or address a server can deduce from the port or address at which a data packet arrives which path it has traversed. The server can then use its knowledge of network topology and bandwidth availability to make policy enforcement decisions. These decisions may include whether to allow the call to proceed if the initial packet received is a call set up packet or, alternatively, a decision as to which path should be used for all transmissions from the terminal during the session.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.