METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING BANDWIDTH EFFICIENCY IN A COMPUTER NETWORK
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a server to improve bandwidth efficiency in a computer network is disclosed. The server is operable to transmit files between a memory of the server and destinations on the computer network through a communication link having a finite bandwidth. The files are distinguishable by type and the server is provided with a rule set for prioritizing transmission of files by type. The method comprises monitoring a bandwidth usage of the communication link, and triggering application of the rule set when the bandwidth usage exceeds a threshold amount. The threshold amount is determined relative to the finite bandwidth. The method further comprises distinguishing between the files according to type, and prioritizing transmission of the files according to type and according to the rule set.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method for operating a server operable to transmit files to destinations on a computer network, the method comprising:
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querying a router unit to monitor bandwidth usage of a communication link connecting the server to a wide area network; determining a current state of bandwidth usage in response to results of querying the router unit; and serving stored files from the server to the wide area network via the communication link in compliance with a rule set defining rules for limiting serving of files from the server depending on file type and the current state of the bandwidth usage, so as to not permit serving of specified file types from the server during periods when the bandwidth usage exceeds a threshold amount relative to a finite bandwidth of the communication link, while permitting serving of the specified file types from the server when the bandwidth usage does not exceed the threshold amount. - View Dependent Claims (22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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23-1. The method of claim 23, wherein classifying each of the files is performed by the server in response to receiving a request to transmit each file from the server.
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35. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions for operating a server operable to transmit files over a computer network, the instructions comprising:
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receiving bandwidth utilization data from an upstream router unit, the data indicating current bandwidth utilization of a communication link connecting the server to a wide area network via the upstream router unit; receiving requests to transmit files from the server; distinguishing between the files based on file types, wherein the file types comprise a plurality of distinct types; and serving the files from the server in response to the requests subject to application of a rule that defines limiting serving of files from the server depending on file type and the current bandwidth utilization, thereby delaying serving of files of at least one file type from the server when the bandwidth utilization exceeds a threshold amount specified by the rule set, and conversely serving the files of at least one file type from the server without delay when the bandwidth utilization does not exceed the threshold amount. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification