METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORECASTING AND CONTROLLING CONGESTION IN A DATA TRANSPORT NETWORK

摘要

A method and apparatus for controlling congestion at a node in a data network. The node includes an input for receiving traffic units from the network, an output for releasing traffic units to the network and a control unit. The control unit is responsible for estimating a level of data occupancy of at least a portion of the network by looking at the traffic units received at the input from a remote node in the network. When the data occupancy level reaches a certain threshold, the node issues a control signal to the remote node such that the remote node lowers its rate of traffic units input in the network. By estimating the network data occupancy level, congestion at the node can be effectively foreseen and controlled.