Abstract: A method for explicit data rate control is introduced into a packet communication environment (10) which does not have data rate supervision by adding latency to the acknowledgment (ACK) packet and by adjusting the size of the flow control window associated with the packet in order to directly control the data rate of the source data at the station (12 or 14) originating the packet.

Abstract: A method for explicit data rate control is introduced into a packet communication environment (10) which does not have data rate supervision by adding latency to the acknowledgment (ACK) packet and by adjusting the size of the flow control window associated with the packet in order to directly control the data rate of the source data at the station (12 or 14) originating the packet.

Abstract: A method for explicit data rate control is introduced into a packet communication environment (10) which does not have data rate supervision by adding latency to the acknowledgment (ACK) packet and by adjusting the size of the flow control window associated with the packet in order to directly control the data rate of the source data at the station (12 or 14) originating the packet.

Abstract: In packet communication, a method for automatically classifying packet flows for use in allocating bandwidth resources and the like by a rule of assignment of a service level. By rendering discoverable the attributes of a flow specification for packet flows, a finer grained hierarchy of classification is provided automatically that is based on information which is specific to the type of program or application supported by the flow and thus allowing greater flexibility in control over different flows within the same application. The method comprises applying individual instances of traffic classification paradigms to packet network flows based on selectable information obtained from a plurality of layers to define a characteristic class, then mapping the flow to the defined traffic class. The flow specification is provided with some application-specific attributes, some of which are discoverable.

Abstract: In packet communication, a method for automatically classifying packet flows for use in allocating bandwidth resources and the like by a rule of assignment of a service level. By rendering discoverable the attributes of a flow specification for packet flows, a finer grained hierarchy of classification is provided automatically that is based on information which is specific to the type of program or application supported by the flow and thus allowing greater flexibility in control over different flows within the same application. The method comprises applying individual instances of traffic classification paradigms to packet network flows based on selectable information obtained from a plurality of layers to define a characteristic class, then mapping the flow to the defined traffic class. The flow specification is provided with some application-specific attributes, some of which are discoverable.

Abstract: In a packet telecommunications environment, a method is provided for end to end explicit rate control through a plurality of heterogeneous internetworked networking topologies comprising networks without explicit rate signaling, such as TCP/IP based LAN subnets, and networks with explicit network layer rate signaling, such as Frame Relay permanent or switched virtual circuits (PVC/SVC) or ATM available bit rate (ABR) services by reallocating bandwidth in a partition using a Committed Information Rate of the portion comprising the virtual circuits for a partition size. In specific embodiments, the invention may exist as an integrated device, such as an enhanced FRAD, or a bandwidth management device, which detects congested network conditions from information obtained indirectly from a FRAD or network edge device using techniques such as reading the network edge device's MIB.

Abstract: In a packet communication environment, a method is provided for automatically classifying packet flows for use in allocating bandwidth resources by a rule of assignment of a service level. The method comprises applying individual instances of traffic classification paradigms to packet network flows based on selectable information obtained from a plurality of layers of a multi-layered communication protocol in order to define a characteristic class, then mapping the flow to the defined traffic class. It is useful to note that the automatic classification is sufficiently robust to classify a complete enumeration of the possible traffic.

Abstract: In a packet communication environment, a method is provided for automatically classifying packet flows for use in allocating bandwidth resources by a rule of assignment of a service level. The method comprises applying individual instances of traffic classification paradigms to packet network flows based on selectable information obtained from a plurality of layers of a multi-layered communication protocol in order to define a characteristic class, then mapping the flow to the defined traffic class. It is useful to note that the automatic classification is sufficiently robust to classify a complete enumeration of the possible traffic.

Abstract: In a packet communication environment, a method is provided for automatically classifying packet flows for use in allocating bandwidth resources by a rule of assignment of a service level. The method comprises applying individual instances of traffic classification paradigms to packet network flows based on selectable information obtained from a plurality of layers of a multi-layered communication protocol in order to define a characteristic class, then mapping the flow to the defined traffic class. It is useful to note that the automatic classification is sufficiently robust to classify a complete enumeration of the possible traffic.

Abstract: A method for explicit data rate control is introduced into a packet communication environment (10) which does not have data rate supervision by adding latency to the acknowledgment (ACK) packet and by adjusting the size of the flow control window associated with the packet in order to directly control the data rate of the source data at the station (12 or 14) originating the packet.

Abstract: A method for explicit data rate control is introduced into a packet communication environment (10) which does not have data rate supervision by adding latency to the acknowledgment (ACK) packet and by adjusting the size of the flow control window associated with the packet in order to directly control the data rate of the source data at the station (12 or 14) originating the packet.

Abstract: In a packet communication environment, a method is provided for classifying packet network flows for use in determining a policy, or rule of assignment of a service level, and enforcing that policy by direct rate control. The method comprises applying individual instances of traffic objects, i.e., packet network flows to a classification model based on selectable information obtained from a plurality of layers of a multi-layered communication protocol, then mapping the flow to the defined traffic classes, which are arbitrarily assignable by an offline manager which creates the classification. It is useful to note that the classification need not be a complete enumeration of the possible traffic.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimally setting the receiver window size in a flow controlled protocol in order to minimize queuing in a packet telecommunications network. Embodiments according to the present invention are operable at an explicit path to identify per connection information from host address or physical interface, flow direction, or any combination of these elements. The present invention may function in conjunction with a rate detection method that determines both a message serialization delay component and a data size invariant delay component.

Abstract: A method for pacing data flows in packet switched networks by arranging data transmission over a period of time based upon a set of ascertainable factors about the underlying transmission link to derive an intersegment transmission interval. The intersegment transmission interval can be used to pace either data packets or acknowledgment packets. The method is especially useful for pacing the transmission of data in a digital data packet communication environment having a plurality of digital packet transmission stations inter-connectable in a data path and employing the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) suite.

Abstract: An asymmetric network communication system for use in a client-host environment having independent forward and return channels operating at different speeds and/or under different protocols on the same or different communication media to provide efficient utilization of shared resources. A network manager, such as a hybrid access system, effects transmission of packetized data on a forward (downstream) channel from the host server to multiple client devices coupled with a shared downstream media at 10 or more megabits per second while simultaneously providing selectable multiple lower speeds of operation on shared or dedicated return (upstream) channels from the client devices to the host server depending on bandwidth availability, bandwidth demand, service level authorization, etc, for the return channel.

Abstract: In a packet communication environment, a method is provided for classifying packet network flows for use in determining a policy, or rule of assignment of a service level, and enforcing that policy by direct rate control. The method comprises applying individual instances of traffic objects, i.e., packet network flows to a classification model based on selectable information obtained from a plurality of layers of a multi-layered communication protocol, then mapping the flow to the defined traffic classes, which are arbitrarily assignable by an offline manager which creates the classification. It is useful to note that the classification need not be a complete enumeration of the possible traffic.

Abstract: A method for explicit data rate control is introduced into a packet communication environment (10) which does not have data rate supervision by adding latency to the acknowledgment (ACK) packet and by adjusting the size of the flow control window associated with the packet in order to directly control the data rate of the source data at the station (12 or 14) originating the packet.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing gratuitous retransmission of data from being propagated through a network which includes holding data to be retransmitted for a minimum time period. If an acknowledgment occurs while the retransmitted data is still being held, then the retransmitted data is discarded rather than propagated through the network. The invention also provides for selectively holding retransmissions based upon ascertainable factors about the underlying connection activity, such as number of successful transmissions.

Abstract: An asymmetric network communication system for use in a client-server environment having independent forward and return channels operating at different speeds and/or under different protocols on the same or different communication media to provide efficient utilization of shared resources. A network manager, such as a hybrid access system, effects transmission of packetized data on a forward (downstream) channel from the host server to multiple client devices coupled with a shared downstream media at 10 or more megabits per second while simultaneously providing selectable multiple lower speeds of operation on shared or dedicated return (upstream) channels from the client devices to the host server depending on bandwidth availability, bandwidth demand, service level authorization, etc. for the return channel.

Abstract: A hybrid access system and method using a hybrid access system point of presence router and a remote link adapter to connect a user computer terminal to a network for fast downstream information transfer by high speed information broadcasting with lower speed upstream information transfer through an independent upstream channel to the hybrid access system point of presence router. High speed downstream information transfer passes through a cable TV headend or a TV transmitter or a cell station.