Capacity adaptation between service classes in a packet network.

摘要

A method and system is described that adjusts the allocated capacity of a network between traffic service classes in dependence on the congestion price of each service. In this respect, instead of viewing the congestion price as a cost of using already allocated unit of capacity, it can be viewed as an indicator of the value obtainable from allocating an extra unit of capacity to a service. By so doing the congestion price becomes a factor to be taken into account in deciding on capacity allocation between services, with a high congestion price for a service indicating that additional value would likely be obtained by allocating an additional unit of capacity to the service.