Abstract: A method for implementing bandwidth reservation in an electronic network comprises the setup of a new connection between at least two nodes in a network, while preventing the overload of individual nodes, and the overload of the network bus, or a radio network. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented through the use of a plug traffic list for each node to indicate the total capability to sink and/or receive, the outgoing communications, and the incoming communications. The invention also preferably includes a bus traffic list to indicate the load of the network bus. According to the present invention, a node that wishes to establish a new communication preferably first determines whether all nodes that are planned to participate in the new connection have enough capacity to handle the additional plug traffic, whereafter the capacity of the network bus is checked.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections of consumer electronic devices in a home audio/video network. The present invention automatically maintains and manages the internal connections for each of the devices on the network. In the currently preferred embodiment, each internal connection is labeled according to its status (e.g., active or inactive) and/or condition (e.g., network compliancy). Whenever a new device is added to or an old device is removed from the network, a network reset is initiated. The network reset causes a device control module to terminate its normal mode of operation and enter into a “restore” mode of operation. During the restore mode, the device control module accepts connection information sent by the various stream managers of those devices currently coupled to the network. Based on this information, the device control module updates the label data for each of the internal connections.