Patent ID: 8699321
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a state of a communications system, the method comprising: determining the state of a communications path, wherein the state is determined for each segment of the communications path, wherein the state is determined utilizing performance information of the communications path, wherein the performance information is characterized by short-term and long-term averages and trends for each segment, wherein the state for each segment is categorized as in a fully functional state, impaired state, and non-functional state utilizing a plurality of goodput thresholds through the communications path, wherein the goodput is the delivered throughput after accounting for any frame loss, and wherein the plurality of goodput thresholds include a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold associated with each state; determining a maximum capacity available to the communications path utilizing trial and error in response to determining that one or more segments of the communications path are in the impaired state; limiting the communications path to the maximum capacity available in response to determining the maximum capacity of the communications path with the one or more segments in the impaired state; storing the states and performance information for each segment for subsequent reference by a plurality of parties; and distributing the states and the performance information for each segment to the plurality of parties.