ROUTE OPTIMIZATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY ONE OR MORE SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR COMBINED LINKS

摘要

In one embodiment, two or more links, coupled to a first service provider (SP) that charges a price for utilization of services according to a first pricing structure, are combined to form a single virtual combined link. Each of the two or more links of the virtual combined link and one or more other links, coupled to a second SP that charges a price for utilization of services according to a second pricing structure, are monitored to obtain link data. The link data for the two of more links of the virtual combined link is merged to form link data for the virtual combined link. Data distribution among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links is optimized to distribute data among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links in a manner that minimizes cost.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
combining two or more links coupled to a first computer network service provider (SP) that charges a price for utilization of services to an amount according to a first pricing structure, to form a virtual combined link that encompasses the two or more links; monitoring each of the two or more links of the virtual combined link and one or more other links coupled to a second computer network SP that charges a price for utilization of services to an amount according to a second pricing structure, to obtain utilization data for each of the two or more links of the virtual combined link and for each of the one or more other links; and distributing data among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links in a manner that minimizes cost of services provided by the first computer network SP and the second computer network SP based at least upon the utilization data for the virtual combined link, the utilization data for the one or more other links, the first pricing structure, or the second pricing structure.