Patent ID: 6868063
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A shaping method for use by a shaper in a communication network to convert an incoming data flow with an incoming data packet rate into an outgoing data flow with an adaptive outgoing data packet rate, said shaping method comprising: buffering, with a buffer of said shaper, data packets of said incoming data flow and generating thereby buffered data packets; determining by a first determiner of said shaper a leaking time moment for a buffered data packet of said buffered data packets, said leaking time moment being a time moment at which said buffered data packet must be leaked by said buffer and that determines thereby said adaptive outgoing data packet rate, said step of determining said leaking time moment being realized as a function of traffic contract parameters related to said incoming data flow; receiving status information of a marker which is downstream coupled to said shaper; determining a conform time moment according to said status information and according to a predefined drop priority, said conform time moment being a time moment at which, in the event of leaking said data packet by said buffer at said conform time moment, said buffered data packet receives from said marker, upon reception, said predefined drop priority; and comparing said conform time moment with said leaking time moment; and in the event when said conform time moment is earlier than said leaking time moment, giving said leaking time moment the value of said conform time moment in order to leak said buffered data packet at that time moment.