Patent ID: 7230744

Claim:
A method of optimising performance of a multi-stage service on source data in a network having first and second computing entities linked by first and second network pathways enabling, for a given ratio of signal to noise, data transmission at higher and lower rates respectively, comprising the steps of: establishing, on the basis of predetermined policy: (i) a first rating for transmitting the source data from the first to the second computing entity via the first network pathway and performance of the multi-stage service by the second computer entity, the first rating being based at least in part upon a probable time interval for transmission of the source data along the first pathway and a probable time interval for performance of the multi-stage service by the second computing entity; and (ii) a second rating for transmitting the source data to a third computing entity located on the second pathway, performing at least a part of the multi-stage service at the third computing entity, subsequently transmitting intermediate data to the second computing entity along the second pathway, and performing any remaining stages of the service by the second computing entity, the second rating being based at least in part upon a sum of (i) a probable time interval for transmission of the source data from the first to the third computing entity, (ii) a probable time interval for performance of at least a part of the multi-stage service on the source data to create the intermediate data by the third computing entity, (iii) a probable time interval for transmission of the intermediate data from the third to the second computing entity, and (iv) a probable time interval for performance of remaining parts of the multi-stage service by the second computing entity; and selecting the pathway with the most favourable rating.