Patent ID: 6223222
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
In a data-over-cable system with a plurality of network devices, a method for providing quality-of-service for a network device, the method comprising the following steps:sending a first message with a first protocol from a first network device to a second network device, the first message including a request to determine if the first network device has enough available bandwidth to create a connection to a third network device with a specific quality-of-service;receiving a second message with the first protocol from the second network device, the second message an offer to reserve bandwidth on the first network device for the specific quality-of-service, the second message including a quality-of-service identifier for the specific quality-of-service requested in an existing message field for the first protocol;sending a third message with the first protocol from the first network device to the second network device with the quality-of-service identifier in an existing message field for the first protocol requesting the second network device reserve bandwidth on the first network device for the specific quality-of-service requested; andreceiving a fourth message with the first protocol from the second network device on the first network device with the quality-of-service identifier in an existing message field for the first protocol acknowledging bandwidth for the specific quality-of-service requested has been reserved on the first network device.