Patent ID: 7869365

Claim:
A network device to perform a method of controlling data packet flows by manipulating data packets according to an actual manipulation rate, comprising: a receiving component for receiving data packets; pattern filter means for, amongst the received data packets, identifying data packets that are marked with a pattern according to a congestion notification scheme; at least one determination unit for performing steps of: determining a pattern rate of data packets comprising the pattern; and determining the actual manipulation rate dependent on the pattern rate by the steps of; determining a first manipulation rate representing an actual rate of data packets manipulated on a route from transmitters of the data packets to respective receivers via the network device; determining a second manipulation rate representing an actual rate of data packets manipulated on a route from the transmitters to the network device; determining a third manipulation rate representing an actual rate of data packets manipulated on a route from the network device to the receivers; and determining the actual manipulation rate dependent on the first manipulation rate, the second manipulation rate and the third manipulation rate; wherein at least one of the first, second or third manipulation rate is based on a pattern rate.