Path selection for routing traffic in a network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, at a listening station of a network, a bandwidth of a first network section from a first station, whereinthe first network section couples the first station to a second station;
determining a bandwidth of a second network section coupling the listening station and the first station;
determining costs for a plurality of paths between the listening station and the second station based, at least in part, on received cost data related to the plurality of paths, whereinthe cost data indicates a bandwidth for a third network section coupling a third station and the second station, andthe listening station is coupled to the third station, anda cost for a first path of the plurality of paths is determined based, at least in part, on the bandwidth of the first network section and the bandwidth of the second network section;
selecting a path from the plurality of paths based, at least in part, on the costs determined for the plurality of paths; and
transmitting, from the listening station to the network, a cost of the selected path.
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for communicating among stations in a network. A station in the network can determine costs between that station and a headend through a number of other stations. The station can select a low cost path from among the possible paths. Cost data from the determination can be transmitted from the station to other stations in the network for use in selecting low cost paths at those stations.
199 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a listening station of a network, a bandwidth of a first network section from a first station, wherein the first network section couples the first station to a second station; determining a bandwidth of a second network section coupling the listening station and the first station; determining costs for a plurality of paths between the listening station and the second station based, at least in part, on received cost data related to the plurality of paths, wherein the cost data indicates a bandwidth for a third network section coupling a third station and the second station, and the listening station is coupled to the third station, and a cost for a first path of the plurality of paths is determined based, at least in part, on the bandwidth of the first network section and the bandwidth of the second network section; selecting a path from the plurality of paths based, at least in part, on the costs determined for the plurality of paths; and transmitting, from the listening station to the network, a cost of the selected path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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determining a first bandwidth of a first network section between a first station and a second station; determining a second bandwidth of a second network section between a listening station and the first station; determining a cost for a first path between the listening station and the second station based, at least in part, on the first bandwidth and on the second bandwidth; receiving cost data related to a second path, wherein the cost data indicates a third bandwidth for a third network section between a third station and the second station, and the listening station is coupled to the third station, determining a cost for the second path based, at least in part, on the third bandwidth; selecting a path from the first path and the second path based, at least in part, on the cost for the first path and the cost for the second path; and transmitting, from the listening station to a network, a cost of the selected path. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A first station comprising:
a network interface module to; receive bandwidth data from a second station indicating a bandwidth of a first network section coupling the second station to a third station; determine a bandwidth of a second network section coupling the first station to the second station; determine costs for a plurality of paths between the first station and the third station, where the network interface module to determine the costs comprises the network interface module to receive cost data related to the plurality of paths, wherein the cost data indicates a bandwidth for a third network section coupling a fourth station to the third station, and the first station is coupled to the fourth station, and a cost for a first of the plurality of paths is determined based, at least in part, on the bandwidth of the first network section and the bandwidth of the second network section; select a path from the plurality of paths based, at least in part, on the costs determined for the plurality of paths; and transmit, from the first station to a network, a cost of the selected path. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions, the program instructions to:
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receive bandwidth data from a first station indicating a bandwidth of a first network section coupling the first station and a second station; determine a bandwidth of a second network section coupling a listening station and the first station; determine costs for a plurality of paths between the listening station and the second station, by receiving cost data related to the plurality of paths, wherein the cost data indicates a bandwidth for a third network section coupling a third station and the second station, and the listening station is coupled to the third station, and a cost for a first path of the plurality of paths is determined based, at least in part, on the bandwidth of the first network section and the bandwidth of the second network section; select a path from the plurality of paths based, at least in part, on the costs determined for the plurality of paths; and transmit, from the listening station to the network, a cost of the selected path. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification