System for identifying candidate link, determining underutilized link, evaluating addition of candidate link and removing of underutilized link to reduce network cost

Abstract

A method for selecting the most cost-efficient configuration for backbone links in a distributed data network is disclosed. The method identifies candidate links between pairs of backbone nodes, evaluates the effect on the network of adding each candidate link to the network, and adds to the network those candidate links which produce a cost savings in the network. The method also routes data through the backbone to minimize transmission delays, and eliminates redundant lines from underutilized links, and removes from the network those links whose removal reduces the cost of the backbone.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Description

PTO

Inventor(s)

Michael O. Ball, Paul Nemirovsky, Michael Post

Date Issued

04/04/1995

Patent No.

5,404,451