Patent ID: 6370520
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: H04L,H04Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of acquiring load information for a network connection defined between a source unit and a destination unit, comprising:determining a threshold priority level for the network node defined along the network connection, the threshold priority level being used by the network node as a basis for accepting or discarding cells received over the network connection; storing a table including a last occurrence entry associated with each threshold priority level recognized by the network node; updating last occurrence entries for associated threshold priority levels determined for the network node; and computing a worst-case threshold priority level for the network node over a specified duration of time or a specified number of cell receipt events using the last occurrence entries of the table; whereby information indicative of the worst-case threshold priority level for the network node is communicated to the source unit, and the source unit effects adjustment of cell priority levels for cells subsequently output from the source unit in response to the worst-case threshold priority level information.