| 摘要 |
Methods and apparatus for signalling congestion are described, in respect of a network element (10) operable to forward received data items in a telecommunications networks such as the Internet, and in respect of a processing element operable to process received requests for service. In either case, the element is operable to perform its processing function at up to a processing rate which is subject to variation, and has a queue for items awaiting processing having a counter associated therewith which maintains a count from which a queue metric is derivable. The method comprises: updating the count at a rate dependent on the processing rate (32, 50); further updating the count in response to receipt of items awaiting processing (32, 50); and signalling a measure of congestion in respect of the element in dependence on the queue metric (34, 36, 50). The method further comprises (i) altering the rate at which the count is being updated (54) and (ii) adjusting the counter whereby to cause a change in the queue metric (54) if it is determined (52) that the processing rate has changed. |
