Abstract: A link-sharing classification hierarchy is described, characterizing network traffic at a high level both to allow measurements of network traffic to be aggregated according classifications in the hierarchy and to describe a policy for network quality of service. Policy templates allow network quality-of-service policies to be re-used across multiple links. Policy alarms can be raised by quality-of-service devices when a policy is violated. An XML API allows applications to manage a central repository of policies.

Abstract: A distributed quality-of-service system makes use of a distributed architecture to achieve very high throughput and availability in which a number of separate processors are loosely coupled in a scalable communication architecture. The computational load required to implement an approach that is similar to that of Floyd and Jacobson is distributed among the processors without requiring the processors to be tightly coupled. A high data rate flow is split so that each processor receives a portion of the traffic passing through the system. The processors implement separate class-based queuing and link fairness algorithms. The output flows of each of the processors are combined to form the overall output flow. The processors exchange data from time to time in order to achieve an approximate link fairness on the overall output flow without requiring the separate algorithms implemented on each of the processors to be tightly coupled.

Abstract: A communication device integrates traffic monitoring, policy configuration and enforcement, and proxy services within the device. The policies can affect both prioritization of data as well as allocation of communication bandwidth. Data packets that are accepted at the device are classified according to a set of defined classes and are transmitted through the device according to a policy for prioritization and bandwidth allocation for the classes. Optionally, some of the packets are passed to a proxy application hosted in the communication device. The device functions as a link-layer bridge, thereby allowing the device to be inserted into a data path without reconfiguring network layer software at devices that use that data path. The device includes operating modes in which packets are passed through the device without modification.

Abstract: A method of managing bandwidth including receiving packets on an input port, classifying the packets in a classification engine, processing the packets in a processing engine, queuing the packets in a queuing engine, and scheduling the packets on an output port.