Patent ID: 7768916

Claim:
A method of dividing Internet protocol (IP) packets into separate flows that are transmitted over different links, said method including at least one of a Cable Modem (CM) and a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) performing the steps of: determining whether said IP packets meet specified positive criteria using positive classifiers established by a policy server, wherein said determining comprises examining said IP packets to determine whether said IP packets are destined for a particular port; subsequently and separately determining whether said IP packets do not meet other negative criteria using negative classifiers established by the policy server, wherein said subsequent and separate determining comprises examining said IP packets to determine whether said IP packets are directed to or from a particular IP address using said particular port; and dividing said packets into flows based on the results of said determining and said subsequent and separate determining, wherein said dividing comprises: responsive to a determination that said IP packets meet said specified positive criteria and do not meet said other negative criteria, directing said IP packets to an enhanced flow; and responsive to a determination that said IP packets meet said specified positive criteria and meet said other negative criteria, directing said IP packets to a best effort flow.