Patent ID: 6327269
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A network for signals of different bandwidths, said network comprising:inputs for signals from a plurality of source end systems;outputs for the signals;a plurality of switching nodes for selectively providing signal communication paths between the respective inputs and outputs;a plurality of said paths which pass through said nodes;a dynamic bandwidth controller for dynamically controlling the bandwidth allocated to each of the paths for signals from the respective source end systems; anda plurality of rate controllers each associated with a respective one of the switching nodes for determining the bandwidth available for each of the paths through the node;the dynamic bandwidth controller being operative, in response to data transmission activity at any of the plurality of source end systems, to interrogate the rate controllers so as to determine the bandwidth available for any given path and provide a signal to instruct the source end system corresponding to said given path of the available bandwidth.