Patent ID: 6195332
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
In a ring-topology communication network communicatively coupling a plurality of network nodes each representing a local area network (LAN), a method for controlling a transmission of a plurality of data packets on said ring-topology communication network using ethernet packet format and equipment, said method comprising the computer implemented steps of:a) determining a flow path for each of said plurality of data packets in said communication network;b) calculating a data transmission rate limit for each of a plurality of flow paths through each of said plurality of network nodes onto said communication network, said limit based upon said flow path of each of said plurality of data packets, wherein said data packets have controlled access to transmit on said communication network, said plurality of limits provided to equitably share transmission resources;c) adaptively adjusting said data transmission limit for each of said plurality of flow paths depending upon traffic conditions in each of said plurality of network nodes;d) controlling said transmission of said data packets on said flow paths according to said limits respectively calculated for said data packets;e) dividing a bandwidth of a channel immediately downstream of said network node by said net tributary flow limit; andf) multiplexing said data packets flowing from upstream of said node with data packets flowing from said tributary of said node in a ratio equal to said net tributary flow limit.