Packet communications network congestion alleviation method and apparatus
US7724664B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L47/323
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A packet network node and method of operating a packet network node are disclosed. Conventional packet network nodes react to congestion in the packet network by dropping packets in a manner which is perceived by users to be indiscriminate. In embodiments of the present invention, communication sources precede communications with a start packet which contains a communication identifier also carried within subsequent packets of the communication. The packet network node makes an entry in a vulnerable communications table (6.4) on receipt of such a start packet. After an amount of time, and often before the cessation of a communication, such entries are removed from the vulnerable communications table. On the onset of congestion, the packet network node disclosed herein deletes packets in communications identified in the vulnerable communications table. This provides a congestion alleviation method which is less annoying to users since communications that have been in existence for longer are less susceptible to component packets being deleted.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.