Patent ID: 6055571
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of flow control for a network of switches connecting users, comprising:providing a plurality of network brokers, each network broker corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of users, including a first network broker corresponding to a first user and a second network broker corresponding to a second user;providing a quality of service profile for said first user to said first network broker;providing route information relating to a route from said first to said second user, said route including one of said switches defining a first switch;providing from said first user to said first network broker a present desired bandwidth value;sending respective current price quote information from said first switch to said first network broker;selecting, by said first network broker, of a resource utilization rate to define a selected resource utilization rate, wherein said selected resource utilization rate is selected based on:a respective resource budget of said first user,said quality of service profile of said first user,said present desired bandwidth value for said first user, andsaid current price quote information of said first switch; andtransmitting from said first user to said second user at said selected resource utilization rate.