Airtime-based scheduling
First Claim
1. A method for controlling network traffic, the method comprising:
- receiving at a wireless network device a first network packet directed to a first network client;
assigning the first network packet to a first quality of service category;
determining a first cost value including a numerical value based on an estimated time consumed to communicate the first network packet towards the first network client over a wireless network interface of the wireless network device;
comparing the first cost value with an airtime allocation balance value assigned to the first quality of service category, wherein the airtime allocation balance value represents an unused portion of time for communicating a packet assigned to the first quality of service category over the wireless network interface, and wherein the unused portion of time is associated with the first quality of service category;
in response to the first cost value being less than or equal to the airtime allocation balance value, the wireless network device forwarding the first network packet towards the first network client via at least the wireless network interface and decreasing the airtime allocation balance value by the first cost value, thereby resulting in a modified airtime allocation value;
in response to the first cost value being greater than the airtime allocation balance value, the wireless network device queuing the first network packet until the airtime allocation balance value is increased such that the first cost value is less than or equal to the increased airtime allocation balance value;
in response to the first cost value being less than or equal to the increased airtime allocation balance value, the wireless network device forwarding the first network packet towards the first network client via at least the wireless network interface;
monitoring the communication of the first network packet to the first network client to determine a second cost value including a second numerical value based on an actual airtime consumed to communicate the first network packet towards the first network client over the wireless network interface;
determining an adjustment to the airtime allocation balance value based on a difference between the first and second cost values; and
modifying the airtime allocation balance value based on the adjustment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Airtime usage may be used as a factor in controlling network traffic flow to and from client devices via a wireless network interface. Received packets or other data are assigned to a quality of service profile. Additionally, a cost value for communicating the received data is determined at least in part based on an actual or estimated airtime usage for the received packet. The cost value is used to allocate wireless network airtime to data. The allocation of wireless network airtime may be varied dynamically based on operating conditions. The cost value may be based on factors including the airtime used to communicate data; whether the data is a retransmission; and wireless network overhead. The cost value of data may also be different depending on whether the data is being sent from a client device or to a client device.
161 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for controlling network traffic, the method comprising:
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receiving at a wireless network device a first network packet directed to a first network client; assigning the first network packet to a first quality of service category; determining a first cost value including a numerical value based on an estimated time consumed to communicate the first network packet towards the first network client over a wireless network interface of the wireless network device; comparing the first cost value with an airtime allocation balance value assigned to the first quality of service category, wherein the airtime allocation balance value represents an unused portion of time for communicating a packet assigned to the first quality of service category over the wireless network interface, and wherein the unused portion of time is associated with the first quality of service category; in response to the first cost value being less than or equal to the airtime allocation balance value, the wireless network device forwarding the first network packet towards the first network client via at least the wireless network interface and decreasing the airtime allocation balance value by the first cost value, thereby resulting in a modified airtime allocation value; in response to the first cost value being greater than the airtime allocation balance value, the wireless network device queuing the first network packet until the airtime allocation balance value is increased such that the first cost value is less than or equal to the increased airtime allocation balance value; in response to the first cost value being less than or equal to the increased airtime allocation balance value, the wireless network device forwarding the first network packet towards the first network client via at least the wireless network interface; monitoring the communication of the first network packet to the first network client to determine a second cost value including a second numerical value based on an actual airtime consumed to communicate the first network packet towards the first network client over the wireless network interface; determining an adjustment to the airtime allocation balance value based on a difference between the first and second cost values; and modifying the airtime allocation balance value based on the adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification