Patent ID: 6888794

Claim:
A method for exchanging source-to-sink data rate information in a packet-based network, comprising: receiving, by a first gateway mechanism coupled to said network, data rate information from a first communication device, said first communication device configured to operate as at least one of a source and sink; determining a first data signaling rate between said first communication device and said first gateway mechanism; receiving, by a second gateway mechanism coupled to said network, data rate information from a second communication device, said second communication device configured to operate as at least one of a source and sink; determining a second data signaling rate between said second communication device and said second gateway mechanism; forwarding data rate information containing said first data signaling rate to said second gateway mechanism; and forwarding data rate information containing said second data signaling rate to said first gateway mechanism, wherein said first communication device and said first gateway mechanism determine a first maximum compatible source-to-sink data rate based on said first data signaling rate and said second data signaling rate received from said second gateway mechanism, and wherein said second communication device and said second gateway mechanism determine a second maximum compatible source-to-sink data rate based on said second data signaling rate and said first data signaling rate received from said first gateway mechanism; and wherein the first maximum compatible source-to-sink data rate and said second maximum compatible source-to-sink data rate differ.