METHOD OF PROVIDING SERVICE CLASSES IN A PACKET NETWORK

摘要

A method of operating a packet network to provide selectable levels of servi ce to different communications flows is disclosed. The method provides a networ k user with more flexibility in assigning a level of service to a given flow than conventional Asynchronous Transfer Mode networks. Furthermore, it provides a better differentiation between different qualities of service tha n is enabled by recent proposals for Internet Protocol networks. By identifyin g packets belonging to flows requiring a relatively high level of service, and , in response, allowing those packets access to capacity which is otherwise withheld, a relatively high level of service can be provided to streams of such packets. The invention is especially useful in relation to providing selected flows along residential high-speed Internet access lines (e.g. ADSL ) with a higher level of capacity than other flows. The withheld capacity can comprise capacity which is normally hidden from the end-user by network configuration. The sender and/or receiver of a flow can be charged for the high level of service provided to that flow.