Patent ID: 8064463
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for allocating resources in a data communications network, compromising: determining the amount of bandwidth available to a given user; and adjusting and readjusting the bandwidth available to a user in accordance with predetermined parameters; wherein a user has a plurality; options including: setting whether each attached device is equal in its allowed access to bandwidth or if a hierarchy should be set up; for a setup with a hierarchy among attached devices, the user selects one of the attached devices to be a primary attached device and, if other attached devices are to have a hierarchical relation with one another, their relative order of importance; selecting a minimum speed or access to bandwidth for the primary attached device (and for other hierarchical attached devices) such that when the primary attached device's communication speed within the data communications network falls below that number, a bandwidth manager then limits other attached devices access to the data communications network such that enough bandwidth is freed up to speed up the primary attached device's access to the data communications network; the user can select a minimum speed for all attached devices such that the bandwidth manager, when it cuts back on lower priority attached devices allows them a predetermined amount of access to the data communications network; the user sets up how often the bandwidth manager should check the bandwidth availability, potential speed, and needs of high priority device; the user also can determine how often the bandwidth manager rechecks to see if it should again allow additional bandwidth access to lower priority attached devices; and the user can specify how the bandwidth manager determines the most recent bandwidth demands or speed of the primary attached device or other high priority devices.