Patent ID: 8307111
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A machine-implemented method for bandwidth scavenging among a plurality of applications in a network, the method comprising: a first one of the applications stored in memory of a first network device sending packets to the network within a prescribed bandwidth limit of the first application; the first device allocating, incrementally, additional bandwidth to the first application beyond the first application's prescribed bandwidth limit; the first application using the additional bandwidth to send additional packets to the network; and while using the additional bandwidth, if the first device does not detect congestion in the network, the first device continuing to allocate, incrementally, additional bandwidth until either a preset limit of the first application is reached or the first device detects congestion in the network; wherein if the first device detects congestion in the network after exceeding the first application's prescribed bandwidth limit, the first device deducts the additional bandwidth from the first application and returns the first application to its prescribed bandwidth limit; wherein after deducting the additional bandwidth from the first application, the first device again allocates additional bandwidth to the first application after a first preset interval; and wherein during a second preset interval after deducting the additional bandwidth from the first application, the first device will only allocate additional bandwidth to the first application up to a limit below a point where congestion was detected during the previous allocation of additional bandwidth.