System for placing packets on network for transmission from sending endnode to receiving endnode at times which are determined by window size and metering interval

Patent 6105064 Issued on August 15, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 30, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Novell, Inc.

Application

No. 866542 filed on 05/30/1997

US Classes:

709/224Computer network monitoring

Examiners

Primary: Meky, Moustafa M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Computer Law++

International Class

G06F 013/00

Abstract

A method for controlling communications between endnodes in a packet-switched computer network includes dynamic window sizing and dynamic packet metering. Dynamic window sizing regularly probes the network to determine whether higher throughput is available at an increased window size, and avoids unnecessary decreases in window size after a packet is dropped or all available data has been transmitted. Dynamic packet metering regularly adjusts the rate at which packets are transmitted in response to changes in the measured propagation rate of packets through the network. To avoid unnecessary ack packets, acks are bundled together and piggybacked on returning data packets when appropriate. The invention provides control even if the address of an endnode changes. The invention also supports multiplexing several logical connections over a single transport session and combining data from several connections in a single packet, as well as construction of packets in a network-layer-independent format.

Other References

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Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Distributed Operating Systems, (Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1995), pp. 34-42
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