Patent ID: 6122289
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of controlling the data rate through a communications adapter having at least one guaranteed bandwidth connection through the communications adapter, the method comprising the steps of:assigning to the guaranteed bandwidth connection, a maximum threshold value proportional to the amount of data to be transmitted through the communications adapter in a time interval to satisfy the guaranteed bandwidth of the connection;counting the amount of data transmitted through the communications adapter for the guaranteed bandwidth connection so as to provide a connection data count associated with the guaranteed bandwidth;suspending transmitting to the communications adapter, data associated with the guaranteed bandwidth connection if transmission of the data would cause the connection data count to exceed the maximum threshold value assigned to the guaranteed bandwidth connection;maintaining a count of data transferred outbound to the communications adapter so as to provide an outbound data count;maintaining a count both of data transferred outbound to and data transferred inbound from the communications adapter so as to provide a total data count;suspending transmitting to the communications adapter, data associated with nonguaranteed bandwidth connections if transmission of the data would cause either the total data count to exceed a total data threshold value or the outbound data count to exceed an outbound data threshold andresetting the outbound data count and the total data count and the connection data count after expiration of a time interval.