User bandwidth monitor and control management system and method

• US 6,754,230 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Purpura, William J., OʼBrien, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, BRENDA H
• Application Number:
  US09/943,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20030043846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 370/229, 370/230, 370/230.1, 370/231, 370/235, 370/252, 370/253, 370/395.21, 370/395.2, 370/395.41, 370/468, 370/477
• US Class Current: 370/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0896 Bandwidth or capacity management, i.e. automatically increasing or decreasing capacities flow or congestion control using dynamic resource allocation, e.g. in-call renegotiation, H04L47/76
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0882 Utilisation of link capacity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control

Abstract

A communication method for equitably distributing access to a shared broadband signal having a defined bandwidth to ensure that each user accessing the system receives at least a predetermined minimum bandwidth connection. The method uses a server system that includes at least one server and a plurality of client systems connected to at least one server. A respective user utilizes each client system. The method includes controlling user access to the shared broadband signal, monitoring an amount of the signal bandwidth used by each user, and controlling an amount of the signal bandwidth available to each user based on a total usage of the bandwidth.

Claims

1. A communication method for equitably distributing access to a shared broadband signal having a defined bandwidth, using a server system including at least one server and a plurality of client systems connected to at least one server, wherein each client system is utilized by a respective user, said method comprising:

receiving a user request to access the shared broadband signal;

determining if the server is on-line;

determining whether a minimum threshold of the bandwidth is available for use, if the server is determined to be on-line;

allowing the user access to the signal, if there is determined to be a minimum threshold of bandwidth available for use;

allowing the user access to the server for local use, and notifying the user access to the signal will be allowed when the amount of bandwidth available exceeds the minimum threshold, if there is determined not to be a minimum threshold of bandwidth available for use;

monitoring an amount of the bandwidth used by each user; and

controlling an amount of the bandwidth available to each user based on a total usage of the bandwidth, such that each user is ensured a predetermined minimum bandwidth.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

notifying the user to request access to the signal at a later time, if the server is determined to be off-line.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

monitoring the total input/output (I/O) use of the bandwidth; and

prorating the amount of the bandwidth each user is allowed to access, such that excess bandwidth is utilized and the prorated amount of the bandwidth remains above a minimum threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring an amount of the bandwidth used by each user comprises:

monitoring service requests by each user, wherein the service requests include chat room requests, e-mail requests, file transfer protocol requests, and virtual private network requests; and

blocking all chat room service requests.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling an amount of bandwidth available to each user comprises determining if an amount of the bandwidth available is below a critical level, upon the server receiving a service request.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein controlling an amount of bandwidth available to each user further comprises blocking all service requests to access websites that transmit at least one of streaming audio and streaming video, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is below the critical level.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein controlling an amount of bandwidth available to each user further comprises:

allowing an e-mail service request, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is above the critical level; and

implementing an e-mail bandwidth control routine upon allowing an e-mail service request.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein controlling an amount of bandwidth available to each user further comprises:

allowing a file transfer protocol (FTP) service request, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is above the critical level; and

implementing a FTP bandwidth control routine upon allowing the FTP service request.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein controlling an amount of bandwidth available to each user further comprises:

allowing a virtual private network (VPN) service request, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is above the critical level; and

implementing a VPN bandwidth control routine upon allowing the VPN service request.

10. A system for equitably distributing access to a shared broadband signal having a defined bandwidth, said system comprising:

a plurality of client systems, wherein each said client system is configured to be utilized by a respective user; and

at least one server interconnecting said client systems, said server being configured to execute a management scheme that includes;

receiving a user request to access the signal;

determining if said server is on-line;

determining whether a minimum threshold of the bandwidth is available for use, if said server is determined to be on-line;

allowing the user access to the signal, if there is determined to be a minimum threshold of bandwidth available for use;

allowing the user access to said server for local use, and notifying the user access to the signal will be allowed when the amount of the bandwidth available exceeds the minimum threshold, if there is determined not to be a minimum threshold of bandwidth available for use;

monitoring an amount of said bandwidth used by each user; and

controlling an amount of said bandwidth available to each user based on a total usage of the bandwidth.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said management scheme further includes notifying the user to request access to the signal at a later time, if said server is determined to be off-line.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said management scheme further includes monitoring the total input/output (I/O) use of the bandwidth, and prorating the amount of the bandwidth each user is allowed to access, such that excess bandwidth is utilized and the prorated amount of the bandwidth remains above a minimum threshold.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein to monitor an amount of the bandwidth used by each user, said management scheme further includes monitoring service requests by each user, wherein the service requests include chat room requests, e-mail requests, file transfer protocol requests, and virtual private network requests, and blocking all chat room service requests.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein to control an amount of bandwidth available to each user, said management scheme further includes determining if an amount of the bandwidth available is below a critical level, upon said server receiving a service request.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein to control an amount of bandwidth available to each user, said management scheme further includes blocking all service requests to access websites that transmit at least one of streaming audio and streaming video, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is below the critical level.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein to control an amount of bandwidth available to each user, said management scheme further includes allowing an e-mail service request, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is above the critical level, and implementing an e-mail bandwidth control routine upon allowing the e-mail service request.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein to control an amount of bandwidth available to each user, said management scheme further includes allowing a file transfer protocol (FTP) service request, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is above the critical level, and implementing a FTP bandwidth control routine u allowing the FTP service request.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein to control an amount of bandwidth available to each user, said management scheme further includes allowing a virtual private network (VPN) service request, if the determined amount of the bandwidth available is above the critical level and implementing a VPN bandwidth control routine upon allowing the VPN service request.

19. A communication method for equitably distributing access to a shared broadband signal having a defined bandwidth, using a server system including at least one server and a plurality of client systems connected to at least one server, wherein each client system is utilized by a respective user, said method comprising:

monitoring the amount of the bandwidth each user is accessing;

identifying at least one excessive bandwidth user that is accessing an amount of the bandwidth that exceeds a maximum use threshold;

determining a particular server system activity that is causing the excessive bandwidth user to exceed the maximum use threshold;

prohibiting the particular server system activity; and

sending a notice to the excessive user informing the excessive user to cease requesting the particular server system activity.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises sending a notice to the excessive user informing the excessive user to reduce use of the particular server system activity.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein controlling the particular server system activity of the excessive user comprises terminating access to the signal by the excessive user.