Patent ID: 8155022

Claim:
A machine implemented method for a network system having at least a first network node communicating with a second network node using a plurality of network links, the plurality of network links being grouped as a trunk, the method comprising: (a) initiating monitoring of a usage of the trunk during a monitoring duration; (b) monitoring a data transfer rate for the trunk for transferring information between the first network node and the second network node; (c) determining a peak data transfer rate for the trunk during the monitoring duration; (d) comparing the peak data transfer rate to a threshold data transfer rate for the trunk; wherein the threshold data transfer rate establishes a minimum number of links needed for communication between the first network node and the second network node; (e) based on the comparison in step (d) determining if one or more of the plurality of network links can be deactivated by calculating a first hypothetical threshold value based on a reduced number of links compared to a number of links used in step (d); and then comparing the first hypothetical threshold value to the peak data transfer rate of step (d); (f) based on the determination in step (e), if one or more of the plurality of network links can be de-activated, then de-activating one or more of the plurality of network links; (g) establishing a first new threshold data transfer rate based on the deactivated network links in step (f); (h) based on the comparison in step (d) and if the peak data transfer rate is equal to or greater than the threshold data transfer rate, determining if one or more of the plurality of network links can be activated by calculating a second hypothetical threshold value based on a greater number of links compared to the number of links used in step (d) and then comparing the second hypothetical threshold value to the peak data transfer rate of step (d); (i) based on the determination in step (h), if the one or more of the plurality of network links can be activated, then activating one or more of the plurality of network links; and (j) establishing a second new threshold data transfer rate based on an increased number of network links from step (i).