METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING NETWORK TRAFFIC

摘要

An intermediary node on a data communications network implement a flow control algorithm to control network congestion. The intermediary node receives messages destined for servers or other upstream nodes from clients or other downstream nodes and determines whether to forward the messages based on the flow control algorithm, which may be adaptive. The algorithm may consider explicit back-off messages received from upstream node, and/or other criteria. When a back-off condition applies, the intermediary node refrains from forwarding messaging it receives and sends back-off messages to nodes initiating the messages. Back-off messages may include a back-of time period and/or other back-off criteria.