Traffic metering in data networks
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for metering data packets, having a plurality of different packet lengths, in a device of a data communications network, the method comprising:
- incrementing a token count Tc at a token increment rate subject to an upper limit on the token count;
in response to receipt of a packet of length L tokens, determining if both Tc>
0 and Tc+n≧
L, where n is a defined number of tokens;
if so, marking the data packet as in profile and subtracting L tokens from the token count;
if not, marking the data packet as out of profile; and
varying n in the range 0≦
n≦
(Lmax−
1), where Lmax is the maximum length of data packets to be metered, in dependence on at least one feedback signal indicating an operational condition in the network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for metering data packets having a plurality of different packet lengths in a data communications network. A token count TC is incremented at a token increment rate CIR subject to an upper limit CBS on the token count. On arrival of a packet of length L tokens, it is determined if both TC>0 and TC+n≧L, where n is a defined number of tokens. If so, the data packet is categorized as in profile and L tokens are subtracted from the token count TC. Otherwise the data packet is categorized out of profile. In some embodiments, n is set to a value in the range 0<n<(Lmax−1) where Lmax is the maximum length of data packets to be metered. In other embodiments, n is varied in the range 0≦n≦(Lmax−1) in dependence on at least one feedback signal indicating an operational condition in the network. The degree of conformance of the metering system is determined by the parameter n, whereby the conformance level can be tuned to particular multi-length packet environments.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for metering data packets, having a plurality of different packet lengths, in a device of a data communications network, the method comprising:
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incrementing a token count Tc at a token increment rate subject to an upper limit on the token count; in response to receipt of a packet of length L tokens, determining if both Tc>
0 and Tc+n≧
L, where n is a defined number of tokens;if so, marking the data packet as in profile and subtracting L tokens from the token count; if not, marking the data packet as out of profile; and varying n in the range 0≦
n≦
(Lmax−
1), where Lmax is the maximum length of data packets to be metered, in dependence on at least one feedback signal indicating an operational condition in the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for metering data packets, having a plurality of different packet lengths, in a data communications network, the apparatus comprising:
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a token counter for maintaining a token count Tc; and control logic configured to increment the token count Tc at a token increment rate subject to an upper limit on the token count in response to receipt of a packet of length L tokens, to determine if both Tc>
0 and Tc+n ≧
L where n is a defined number of tokens and to vary n in the range 0≦
n≦
(Lmax−
1), where Lmax is the maximum length of data packets to be metered, in dependence on at least one feedback signal indicating an operational condition in the network. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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9. A network device for processing data packets in a data communications network, the device having at least one meter for metering data packets processed by the device, said meter comprising a token counter for maintaining a token count Tc;
- and control logic configured;
to increment the token count Tc at a token increment rate subject to an upper limit on the token count; in response to receipt of a packet of length L tokens, to determine if both Tc>
0 and Tc+n≧
L, where n is a defined number of tokens;if so, to categorize the data packet as in profile and subtract L tokens from the token count; if not, to categorize the data packet as out of profile; and to vary n in the range 0≦
n≦
(Lmax−
1), where Lmax is the maximum length of data packets to be metered, in dependence on at least one feedback signal indicating an operational condition in the network. - View Dependent Claims (10)
- and control logic configured;
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11. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having embodied therein computer readable program code means for causing a processor of a network device to perform a method for metering data packets having a plurality of different packet lengths, the method comprising:
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incrementing a token count Tc at a token increment rate subject to an upper limit on the token count; in response to receipt of a packet of length L tokens, determining if both Tc>
0 and Tc+n≧
L, where n is a defined number of tokens;if so, categorizing the data packet as in profile and subtracting L tokens from the token count; if not, categorizing the data packet as out of profile; and varying n in the range 0≦
n≦
(Lmax−
1), where Lmax is the maximum length of data packets to be metered, in dependence on at least one feedback signal indicating an operational condition in the network.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeGoogle LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
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Original AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
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InventorsCarpenter, Brian E., Kind, Andreas, Jeffries, Clark D.
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Primary Examiner(s)Harper; Kevin C.
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Application NumberUS10/390,385Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,835 DaysField of Search370/465, 370/468, 370/236US Class Current370/235.1CPC Class CodesH04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring...H04L 43/0894 Packet rateH04L 43/16 Threshold monitoringH04L 47/20 Traffic policingH04L 47/215 using token-bucketH04L 47/22 Traffic shapingH04L 47/31 by tagging of packets, e.g....
