Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for reducing congestion of real time data traffic on a multimedia communications network having a traffic control mechanism. Information regarding congestion of the multimedia communications network is first extracted from data traffic in the multimedia communications network. This extraction is performed by a network of monitors. Congestion is regulated by a central server, which receives network information from the monitors and utilizes the network information to analyze congestion status and communicate instructions to the multimedia communications network to reduce congestion.

Abstract: A method consistent with the present invention enables communicating telephonic data regarding a call over a data network. The method includes the steps of receiving data units from a first data network over redundant communication paths. Next, it is determined whether the received data units have an error. One of the received date units is then selected from one of the redundant communication paths determined not to have an error, and the selected data unit is forwarded to a second data network.