Patent ID: 8090814

Claim:
A method for managing distribution of a shared resource among a plurality of nodes in a network; the method comprising: (a) functionally identifying respective nodes of said plurality of nodes to recognize each said respective node as a respective node-type; (b) in no particular order: (1) regarding a first set of said respective nodes as first nodes of a first node-type; (2) regarding a second set of said respective nodes as second nodes of a second node-type; each respective said second node being communicatively coupled with at least one said first node; and (3) regarding a third set of said respective nodes as third nodes of a third node-type; each respective said third node being communicatively coupled with at least one said first node; (c) in no particular order: (1) identifying at least one respective target service level for each said respective node; and (2) identifying said shared resource available for said distribution; (d) in no particular order: (1) communicating a first parameter representing said at least one respective target service level for each said respective second node with a communicatively coupled respective first node; said first parameter being based at least in part upon at least one pending or projected condition at said respective second node; and (2) communicating a second parameter representing said at least one respective target service level for each said respective third node with a communicatively coupled respective first node; said second parameter being based at least in part upon at least one pending or projected condition at said respective third node; (e) operating each said first node as an originating node to effect one of: (1) coordinating communication with substantially all other first nodes other than said originating node; and operating said first nodes cooperatively applying an optimizing algorithm to substantially optimally allocate said shared resource among said first nodes; said optimizing algorithm employing at least one of said first parameter and said second parameter; and (2) communicating with a central facility; said central facility being coupled with each said first node and operating to apply an optimizing algorithm to substantially optimally allocate said shared resource among said first nodes; said optimizing algorithm employing at least one of said first parameter and said second parameter.