Method and system for operating a network server to discourage inappropriate use

• US 7,370,110 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Preferential Networks IP, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Hoshiko LLC (Raoul Management LLC)
• Inventors: Shuster, Gary Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardone; Jason D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOUDHURY, AZIZUL Q
• Application Number:
  US09/837,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20020103915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,575 Days
• Field of Search: 709232-233, 709/235, 709/240, 709/241, 709/229
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/115 using a dedicated packet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/266 Stopping or restarting the source, e.g. X-on or X-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/36 by determining packet size, e.g. maximum transfer unit [MTU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A method and system for operating a network server to discourage inappropriate use are disclosed. A server is connected to a plurality of connected client devices, and is configured to transfer information between any selected one of the client devices and a memory for static storage of information. The method comprises the steps of receiving a request to transfer a file between the memory and one of the plurality of client devices, removing a packet comprising a defined number of information bits from the file, transferring the packet between the memory and the client device per the request, then pausing for a defined delay period, and repeating the removing, transferring, and pausing steps in order until all of the file has been transferred. Preferably, the method further comprises increasing the defined delay period after each execution of a packet transfer cycle, thereby discouraging the transfer of unacceptably large files. The delay period may be initiated, and the amount of increase or other adjustment to the delay period during the transfer cycle may be controlled, by selected a predetermined value from a table, or by calculating a value based on variable input parameters such as the file size, server load, network response time, and number of transfer requests from the client device within a defined prior period. The number of information bits in the packet may similarly be initiated, and adjusted during the transfer cycle. The system comprises the server having an application for performing the method according to the invention.

Claims

1. A method for operating a network server to discourage use that disproportionately depletes server resources such as distribution of large media files, wherein the server is connected to a plurality of client devices, and configured to transfer information between selected ones of the client devices and a memory for static storage of information, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to transfer a file between the memory and one of the plurality of client devices;

removing a packet of information from the file after said receiving step;

transferring the packet of information from the memory to a lower-level network component operative to configure the packet as at least one lower-level packet according to a protocol of a packet-switched network for transmission to the one of the plurality of client devices after said removing step;

pausing for a defined delay period after at least one of said removing and said transferring steps; and

repeating said removing step, said transferring step, and said pausing step in any operative order until all of the file has been transferred to the lower-level network component, wherein at least one of the delay period and a defined number of information bits in the information packet is controlled so as to cause later-transferred portions of the file to be delayed by increasing amounts until all portions of the file have been transferred, whereby the entire file is transferred at a rate that decreases with increasing file size.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing the defined delay period after each iteration of the repeating step.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the defined delay period to a selected predetermined value after each execution of said pausing step.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising initializing the defined delay period to a calculated value prior to said removing step.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising initializing the defined delay period to a selected predetermined value prior to said removing step.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the defined delay period to a calculated value after each execution of said pausing step.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining the calculated value from the file size or file type.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the defined number of information bits in the packet of information to a calculated value after each execution of said pausing step.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the defined number of information bits in the packet of information to a selected predetermined value after each execution of said pausing step.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising initializing the defined number of information bits in the packet of information prior to said removing step.

11. A system for discouraging use of memory connected to a network where the use, such as distribution of large media files, disproportionately depletes server resources, the system comprising:

a memory for static storage of information;

a server connected to a plurality of client devices and to the memory, the server controlling access by the client devices to the memory; and

an application on the server for transferring information between selected ones of the client devices and the memory, the application comprising instructions to perform the steps of;

receiving a request to transfer a file between the memory and one of the plurality of client devices;

removing a packet of information from the file after the receiving step;

transferring the packet of information from the memory to a lower-level network component operative to configure the packet as at least one lower-level packet according to a protocol of a packet-switched network for transmission to the one of the plurality of client devices after the removing step;

pausing for a defined delay period after one of the removing and the transferring steps;

repeating the removing step, the transferring step, and the pausing step in any operative order until all of the file has been transferred to the lower-level network component, wherein at least one of the delay period and a defined number of information bits in the information packet is controlled so as to cause later-transferred portions of the file to be delayed by increasing amounts.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of increasing the defined delay period after each iteration of the repeating step.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of setting the defined delay period to a selected predetermined value after each execution of the pausing step.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of initializing the defined delay period to a calculated value prior to the removing step.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of initializing the defined delay period to a selected predetermined value prior to the removing step.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of setting the defined delay period to a calculated value after each execution of the pausing step.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of determining the calculated value from the file size or the file type.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of setting the defined number of information bits in the packet of information to a calculated value after each execution of the pausing step.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of setting the defined number of information bits in the packet of information to a selected predetermined value after each execution of the pausing step.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the application further comprises instructions to perform the step of initializing the defined number of information bits in the packet of information prior to said removing step.