Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing quality of service (QoS) for a network data connection. The network data connection uses a network protocol selectable from a plurality of network protocols. A QoS module can receive a request for a generic QoS and apply this to the network protocol using a specific QoS associated with the protocol. The QoS module may include features for automatic management of QoS and a user interface for changing data connection parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for handling congestion in a packet data network, wherein at least two operating modes of congestion handling are selected based on a detected congestion level. The operating modes will then affect the applied congestion handling modes to thereby achieve a flexible and automatic network response which is based on the congestion level. Thereby applications' quality requirements and service provider's business goals can both be met in an adequate manner.

Abstract: A method and network element for marking data packets to be transmitted in a packet switched network with a priority information I, the packets being treated in the network according to the priority information I. The priority information I is calculated based on a required bit rate BSIO. The priority information I may be additionally calculated based on a nominal bit rate NBR and on a momentary bit rate MBR, such that a terminal device used with the network element is able to inform the network element in advance about the required bit rate.

Abstract: A multimode queuing system for DiffServ routers is provided. The multimode buffering and scheduling system that can be adjusted to show either “pure” AF/EF behavior, “pure” DSUI behavior, or a combination of the AF/EF behavior and the DSUI behavior. An operation point parameter may be set to select the desired behavior. DiffServ products utilizing the combination of the behaviors are flexible and more configurable as compared to only AF/EF products. The multimode queuing system deployment is simple and is a low cost modification to DiffServ routers. The same hardware and/or software implementation can support both mechanisms with very small additional cost and effort. Also the management of the system is simplified. For example, there is no need for several parallel queuing systems.

Abstract: A method for analyzing services offered via a communication system is disclosed. The method includes steps of analyzing demand for offered services and analyzing at least one quality aspect of at least one service on offer via a communication system. A net benefit analysis is then performed based upon the results of the analyzing steps. Implications of at least one design aspect of the offered services to aspects associated with merits of services offered via the communication system are then analyzed. An analyzer configured to analyze services offered via a communication system is also described.

Abstract: A service design planning tool for planning of services offered for users via a communication system. The planning tool allows for the performance of an interaction analyzer function and an optimizer function. The interaction analyzer function allows for analysis of the interaction between technical and economical aspects of a design of services that are offered for users via a communication system. The optimizer function allows for optimization of the design of the services in accordance with a predefined objective and based on data from the interaction analyzer.

Abstract: A method and analyzer analyzes services offered via a communication system A net benefit is determined for a first service based on selected features of the first service. Differences between the selected features of the first service and a second service are then determined. A combined net benefit is then determined based on the net benefit of the first service and the differences between the selected features of the first and second services.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing network node congestion by filtering out comparatively low priority packets prior to execution of other node functions, such as routing and switching, in packet-based network transmissions. The volume of packets is reduced by intercepting the information packets prior to their input to the network node. A portion of the intercepted packets are filtered out based on parameters corresponding to a probable packet acceptability at the network node. The remaining portion of the intercepted packets are forwarded to the network node for processing by the network packet functions.

Abstract: A method and a network element for marking data packets to be transmitted in a packet switched network with a priority information I, said packets being treated in said network according to said priority information I. The priority information I is calculated based on a required bit rate BSIO and preferably on a nominal bit rate NBR and on a momentary bit rate MBR, thereby a terminal device used with the network element is able to inform the network element in advance about the required bit rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a network element 3 for marking data packets to be transmitted in a packet switched network 10 with a priority information I, said packets being treated in said network 10 according to said priority information I. The priority information I is determined depending on a nominal bit rate NBR allocated to a certain service connection and a momentary bit rate MBR of said connection that is calculated depending on an importance marking IU contained in a received data packet indicating an importance level of said data packet. Thus, the nominal bit rate NBR allocated to an end-user can be shared between a plurality of applications with different characteristics in order to give certain applications a higher priority than other applications. The present invention relates to a corresponding terminal device 9 to be used with such a network element 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for handling congestion in a packet data network, wherein at least two operating modes of congestion handling are selected based on a detected congestion level. The operating modes will then affect the applied congestion handling modes to thereby achieve a flexible and automatic network response which is based on the congestion level. Thereby applications' quality requirements and service provider's business goals can both be met in an adequate manner.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing quality of service (QoS) for a network data connection. The network data connection uses a network protocol selectable from a plurality of network protocols. A QoS module can receive a request for a generic QoS and apply this to the network protocol using a specific QoS associated with the protocol. The QoS module may include features for automatic management of QoS and a user interface for changing data connection parameters.

Abstract: A multimode queuing system for DiffServ routers is provided. The multimode buffering and scheduling system that can be adjusted to show either “pure” AF/EF behavior, “pure” DSUI behavior, or a combination of the AF/EF behavior and the DSUI behavior. An operation point parameter may be set to select the desired behavior. DiffServ products utilizing the combination of the behaviors are flexible and more configurable as compared to only AF/EF products. The multimode queuing system deployment is simple and is a low cost modification to DiffServ routers. The same hardware and/or software implementation can support both mechanisms with very small additional cost and effort. Also the management of the system is simplified. For example, there is no need for several parallel queuing systems.

Abstract: A SIMA Traffic Shaper (STS) and method is disclosed for use between the customer equipment and the SIMA access node to shape the transmitted traffic so that the cells will receive as good priority as possible in the access node. The STS includes an input device for receiving cells from a traffic source, a buffering device, coupled to the input, for holding the cells until instructed to send the cells; and a calculation unit, operatively coupled to the buffer processor, for calculating a send time for sending cells held by the buffering device. The buffering device further includes a buffer and a transmission unit, wherein the buffer holds the cells and the transmission unit sends the cell forward according to the send time received from the calculation unit. A monitoring unit is included for monitoring the input device and the buffering device to obtain loading information regarding the network.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving a comparable quality of service for each of the receivers of a multicast transmission incorporating a priority-based quality of service is provided. Packet acceptance criteria established at each individual connection of a network node is overridden to provide a collective packet acceptance criteria for each packet of a multicast transmission targeted for the individual connections. The packet acceptance criteria is collected from each of the individual connections in the network node that are targeted for the multicast transmission. A multicast packet priority is calculated for each of the packets associated with the multicast transmission based on an aggregate analysis of the packet acceptance criteria of each of the individual connections. Each of the packets associated with the multicast transmission is collectively accepted or discarded based on the calculated multicast packet priority.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for generating at least two priority levels for a Nominal Bit Rate (NBR) based on at least two relative priorities defined by a customer and transmitting packets of information via a network with one of the at least two priority levels. The packets are transmitted from one network access unit to another network access unit. The network can be a SIMA network or other networks, such as a conventional IP (Internet Protocol) or ATM network. The method, system, and article of manufacture can also be used between the SIMA network and other networks to improve interoperability therebetween.

Abstract: A routing system and method adapted to a SIMA network routes packets of information from a start network node to a target network node. Each node in a SIMA network monitors the allowed priority level of every outgoing link. A monitor gives a route controller information about the allowed priority levels of at least a nodes outgoing links to all other nodes. The monitor may be used to deliver such information to buffers of other nodes. The monitor also may receive other nodes' allowed priority levels, and based on the allowed priority levels of all nodes, the route controller of each node delivers the information about the current allowed priority level of every link to all other network nodes. The start node calculates the total costs for all reasonable routes to the target node. The calculation takes into account the allowed priority levels and/or the preference value of the outgoing links, such as the length of the path. The route or link with the lowest total costs is selected.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating a priority-based quality of service in CDMA communication systems that implement data packet transmission, in order to effectively allocate radio resources. Data packet transfers are selectively allocated over a wireless interface operating under a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) protocol. A nominal bit rate is established for each user desiring access to the CDMA interface. A relative packet priority is calculated for each of the data packets based on an actual bit rate at the source of the CDMA interface and the established nominal bit rate. An allowable packet priority is calculated for the CDMA interface based on a signal-to-noise ratio of the CDMA interface, and those of the data packets having a relative packet priority greater than or equal to the allowable packet priority of the CDMA interface are transmitted across the CDMA interface.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating first data packets having a first quality of service over a network system designed for communicating second data packets having a second quality of service. The network system includes a plurality of network nodes, where each of the network nodes includes a network switch. The first data packets are switched from each of a plurality of network switch input ports to a dedicated output port of the network switch. Network node congestion control is applied to the first data packets at the dedicated output port to selectively accept or discard the first data packets in accordance with their respective quality of service acceptance principles. Those of the first data packets that were accepted are multiplexed into one or more virtual paths having common output port destinations, and the virtual paths are input into a dedicated input port of the network switch.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the minimum and/or maximum values from a number of sample parameter values utilizes a table of last occurrence (TOLO-table), together with a sliding window or filter, to greatly enhance the speed and efficiency when determining the minimum and/or maximum value from a number of sample parameter values that fall within the sliding window. The TOLO-table typically includes a parameter column for storing entries for each one of a limited number of discrete parameter values, and also includes a time stamp column which provides entries for storing time of receipt data associated with each parameter value defined in the parameter column. Alternatively, an order number column may be employed for storing number order entries corresponding to the order in which the parameter values are received. Every time a parameter value is received, the time stamp or order number entry associated with the parameter value is updated to the current time or order number.