Patent ID: 6996132
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for determining an amount of bandwidth available in at least one communication path coupling a plurality of nodes together, the method comprising the steps of: exercising a first, smaller portion of the at least one communication path that includes a first one of the plurality of nodes, using first information signals, to determine an amount of signal propagation delay present in the first node; exercising a second, larger portion of the at least one communication path that includes the first node and a second node of the plurality of nodes, using second information signals, to determine an amount of time it takes for at least one of the second information signals to traverse the second, larger portion of the at least one communication path in at least one direction; and determining an amount of bandwidth available in at least a portion of the at least one communication path, based on the determined amount of time and the determined amount of propagation delay.