Route optimization of services provided by one or more service providers for combined links
First Claim
1. A method for minimizing costs associated with services provided by a plurality of service providers (SPs) over one or more combined links, wherein each SP charges for utilization of its service based on a tiered pricing structure comprising one or more tiers and wherein each tier correlates to an amount of service provided by the SP and a cost, the method comprising the steps of:
- merging performance characteristics and statistics (link data) for two or more combined links to form link data for a single virtual combined link; and
applying a route optimization technique to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links, wherein the route optimization technique comprises i) generating a target tier for each virtual combined link of each SP based on link utilization data for the virtual combined links wherein the target tier represents a tier contained in the SP'"'"'s tiered pricing structure, ii) generating a momentary target utilization rate (MTUR) for each virtual combined link of each SP based on the generated target tier for each virtual combined link of each SP and utilization of the virtual combined links wherein the MTUR represents a cumulative utilization of a virtual combined link at a particular instance of time, and iii) distributing utilization of the virtual combined links among each of the virtual combined link of each SP based on the MTUR of each virtual combined link and based on the tiered pricing structure of each SP in a manner that minimizes the cost of the services provided by the SPs.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A technique performs route optimization of services provided by one or more service providers (SPs) for communication links that are combined in a computer network. According to the novel technique, performance characteristics and statistics (“link data”) for two or more combined links are merged to form link data for a single “virtual combined link.” Route optimization techniques (e.g., priority-based route optimization) may then be applied to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links (physical or virtual). Illustratively, a route optimization technique may be used in accordance with the present invention to efficiently and accurately minimize costs associated with services provided by a plurality of SPs, wherein each SP charges for utilization of its service based on a tiered pricing structure. The tiered pricing structure comprises one or more tiers, wherein each tier correlates to an amount of service provided by the SP and an associated cost.
53 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for minimizing costs associated with services provided by a plurality of service providers (SPs) over one or more combined links, wherein each SP charges for utilization of its service based on a tiered pricing structure comprising one or more tiers and wherein each tier correlates to an amount of service provided by the SP and a cost, the method comprising the steps of:
-
merging performance characteristics and statistics (link data) for two or more combined links to form link data for a single virtual combined link; and
applying a route optimization technique to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links, wherein the route optimization technique comprises i) generating a target tier for each virtual combined link of each SP based on link utilization data for the virtual combined links wherein the target tier represents a tier contained in the SP'"'"'s tiered pricing structure, ii) generating a momentary target utilization rate (MTUR) for each virtual combined link of each SP based on the generated target tier for each virtual combined link of each SP and utilization of the virtual combined links wherein the MTUR represents a cumulative utilization of a virtual combined link at a particular instance of time, and iii) distributing utilization of the virtual combined links among each of the virtual combined link of each SP based on the MTUR of each virtual combined link and based on the tiered pricing structure of each SP in a manner that minimizes the cost of the services provided by the SPs.
-
-
2. A method for performing route optimization of services provided by one or more service providers (SPs) for combined links in a computer network, the method comprising:
-
merging performance characteristics and statistics (link data) for two or more combined links to form link data for a single virtual combined link; and
applying a route optimization technique to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An apparatus for performing route optimization of services provided by one or more service providers (SPs) for combined links in a computer network, the apparatus comprising:
-
means for merging performance characteristics and statistics (link data) for two or more combined links to form link data for a single virtual combined link; and
means for applying a route optimization technique to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links.
-
-
13. A computer readable medium containing executable program instructions for performing route optimization of services provided by one or more service providers (SPs) for combined links in a computer network, the executable program instructions comprising program instructions for:
-
merging performance characteristics and statistics (link data) for two or more combined links to form link data for a single virtual combined link; and
applying a route optimization technique to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links.
-
-
14. A node for performing route optimization of services provided by one or more service providers (SPs) for combined links in a computer network, the node comprising:
-
one or more network interfaces;
a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and adapted to execute software processes; and
a memory adapted to store a data collection process executable by the processor, the data collection process configured to;
i) monitor performance characteristics and statistics (link data) for two or more combined links, and ii) merge the link data from the two or more combined links to form link data for a single virtual combined link; and
the memory further adapted to store a route optimization process executable by the processor, the route optimization process configured to;
apply a route optimization technique to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
Specification