Transferring data over a network

Abstract

A method is provided for transferring a set of data over a network by monitoring the level of actual network bandwidth utilization. The method identifies a maximum monitored level of actual utilization and calculates a size for data blocks to be transferred as a function of the maximum monitored level of utilization. The data blocks represent a segment of a set of data, such as a software update that may be transferred or downloaded over the network without interfering with other network activity.

1 . A method of transferring a set of data over a network, the method comprising:
 monitoring the level of actual network bandwidth utilization;   identifying a maximum monitored level of actual utilization;   calculating a block size to transfer as a function of the maximum monitored level of utilization; and   facilitating transfer of said block size portion of the set of data over the network at one or more intervals.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said maximum level of actual utilization comprises:
 calculating an average of network bandwidth utilization;   calculating an average transfer rate; and   calculating a bandwidth availability percentage.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a client receives the data over the network from a server. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said monitoring occurs at the interface between the client and the network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network is the Internet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of data includes a software update. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating at least said monitoring each time a portion of the set of data is received. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said maximum level derivation includes calculating an average level of utilization by repeating said monitoring a predetermined number of times during the receipt of said portion of the set of data . 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating said maximum level of actual utilization identification each time a portion of the set of data is received. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a client sends the data over the network to a server. 
     
     
         11 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-usable components for managing the transfer of data over a network, comprising:
 a bandwidth monitoring component which monitors the level of actual bandwidth utilization for a network connection;   a network speed calculating component which calculates a network transfer speed as a function of the monitored level of utilization observed by said bandwidth monitoring component; and   a transfer management component which manages the transfer of data over the network.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the network connection is an interface between a client machine and the network. 
     
     
         13 . A method of refining network utilization determination and download data block sizes in the transfer of a set of data over a network comprising:
 obtaining a network utilization rate at a plurality of intervals;   determining an average of said network utilization rates; and   computing a block size of data to transfer during said intervals as a function of said average.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein obtaining said network utilization rate occurs at specific points in time during each of said intervals. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising transferring a minimum block of the set of data over the network to allow the refining of variables associated with the network utilization determination.