Abstract: Information is transmitted across a wireless data network, comprising a wireless link (100) from a software application module on a computer hardware device (112) to a computer hardware device (110) associated with a destination node in the network. The application requests (114) the status of the route across the network, such information being optionally provided by a decision engine (104) which has access to network status parameters, such as bandwidth, latency and link quality. The application receives (118) the status information and then, and preferably only then, transmits (120) the data in a format chosen from a plurality of different formats (of differing richness of information represented by the date in each such format) in dependence on the indication of the status so received.

Abstract: Data is routed within a data network (8), for example a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), comprising at least one wireless network node (10), typically having a router (11). A processor (18) analyzes characteristics of a wireless link (12ab) between a pair of nodes (10a, 10b) within the network (8). Following such analysis, the processor (18) assigns a link class to the wireless link (12ab), the link class being chosen from a predefined set of link classes. A first link class represents that the link (for example link 12ab) is suitable for carrying one or more types of traffic (for example real-time audio and text), but not suitable for one or more other types of traffic (for example real-time video of a certain quality). A second link class represents that a link (for example link 12ac) is suitable for two or more types of traffic (for example real-time audio and real-time video) including at least one type of traffic (for example real-time video) not supported by the first link class.

Abstract: Data is routed within a data network (8), for example a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), comprising at least one wireless network node (10), typically having a router (11). A processor (18) analyses characteristics of a wireless link (12ab) between a pair of nodes (10a, 10b) within the network (8). Following such analysis, the processor (18) assigns a link class to the wireless link (12ab), the link class being chosen from a predefined set of link classes. A first link class represents that the link (for example link 12ab) 10b is suitable for carrying one or more types of traffic (for example real-time audio and text), but not suitable for one or more other types of traffic (for example real-time video of a certain quality). A second link class represents that a link (for example link 12ac) is suitable for two or more types of traffic (for example real-time audio and real-time video) including at least one type of traffic (for example real-time video) not supported by the first link class.

Abstract: Information is transmitted across a wireless data network, comprising a wireless link (100) from a software application module on a computer hardware device (112) to a computer hardware device (110) associated with a destination node in the network. The application requests (114) the status of the route across the network, such information being optionally provided by a decision engine (104) which has access to network status parameters, such as bandwidth, latency and link quality. The application receives (118) the status information and then, and preferably only then, transmits (120) the data in a format chosen from a plurality of different formats (of differing richness of information represented by the date in each such format) in dependence on the indication of the status so received.