System for predicting and managing network performance by managing and monitoring resource utilization and connection of network

Abstract

A system to manage network resources of a network so that network performance is predictable and manageable is disclosed. According to the system, network resource utilization is monitored and then computer systems seeking to transmit or receive data over the network as requested to do so at times that serve to more efficiently utilize the network resources. A method for managing network resources is also disclosed.

1. A method for managing connection of an electronic mail server to an Internet service provider, said method comprising:
 receiving, at the Internet service provider, a registration request and connection needs from the electronic mail server, the connection needs pertain pertaining to subsequent connections between the electronic mail server and the Internet service provider; 
 storing the connection needs at the Internet service provider; 
 monitoring resource utilization at the Internet service provider; 
 determining suggested mail transmission times based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server and the resource utilization at the Internet service provider; and 
 forwarding the suggested mail transmission times to the electronic mail server. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the electronic mail server, the suggested mail transmission times from the Internet service provider; and 
 scheduling the connection times for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider in accordance with the suggested mail transmission times. 
 
     
     
       3. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the electronic mail server, the suggested mail transmission times from the Internet service provider; 
 determining, at the electronic mail server, whether to override the suggested mail transmission times obtained from the Internet service provider; and 
 scheduling the connection times for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider in accordance with at least one of the suggested mail transmission times and the connection needs of the electronic mail server. 
 
     
     
       4. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the electronic mail server, the suggested mail transmission times from the Internet service provider; 
 modifying the suggested mail transmission times obtained from the Internet service provider based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server; and 
 scheduling the connection times for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider in accordance with the modified suggested mail transmission times. 
 
     
     
       5. A method for managing connection of an electronic mail server to an Internet service provider, said method comprising:
 monitoring resource utilization at the Internet service provider to produce resource utilization information; 
 receiving, at the Internet service provider, a registration request from the electronic mail server; 
 forwarding the resource utilization information to the mail server; 
 receiving, at the electronic mail server, the resource utilization information from the Internet service provider; and 
 determining connection times for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server and the resource utilization information provided by the Internet service provider. 
 
     
     
       6. A method for managing network resources for a network, said method comprising:
 monitoring resource utilization of the network to produce resource utilization information; 
 forwarding the resource utilization information to computers coupled to the network; and 
 thereafter determining desirable times to transmit data over the network taking into consideration the resource utilization information, 
 wherein the resource utilization information is maintained in a histogram format. 
 
     
     
       7. A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the network is the Internet. 
     
     
       8. A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the resource utilization information is maintained in the histogram format at predetermined time intervals. 
     
     
       9. A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said method further comprises:
 transmitting data over the network in accordance with the determined desirable times. 
 
     
     
       10. A computer system connectable to a network, said computer system comprising:
 a network interface, said network interface operates to connect said computer system to the network; 
 a data storage device, said data storage device stores configured to store historical network resource utilization information obtained from the network via said network interface; 
 a processor, said processor executes configured to execute computer instructions and controls input/output operations, said processor also determines desirable scheduled times to transmit data over the network taking into consideration the historical resource utilization information and then transmits data over the network at the desirable times via said network interface, 
 wherein the historical resource utilization information is maintained in a histogram format. 
 
     
     
       11. A computer system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the historical resource utilization information is maintained in the histogram format at predetermined time intervals. 
     
     
       12. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing connection of an electronic mail server to an Internet service provider, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code devices for receiving, at the Internet service provider, a registration request and connection needs from the electronic mail server, the connection needs pertain pertaining to subsequent connections between the electronic mail server and the Internet service provider; 
 computer readable code devices for storing the connection needs at the Internet service provider; 
 computer readable code devices for monitoring resource utilization at the Internet service provider; 
 computer readable code devices for determining suggested mail transmission times based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server and the resource utilization at the Internet service provider; and 
 computer readable code devices for forwarding the suggested mail transmission times to the electronic mail server. 
 
     
     
       13. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:
 computer readable code devices for receiving, at the electronic mail server, the suggested mail transmission times from the Internet service provider; and 
 computer readable code devices for scheduling the connection times for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider in accordance with the suggested mail transmission times. 
 
     
     
       14. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing connection of an electronic mail server to an Internet service provider, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code devices for monitoring resource utilization at the Internet service provider to produce resource utilization information; 
 computer readable code devices for receiving, at the Internet service provider, a registration request from the electronic mail server; 
 computer readable code devices for forwarding the resource utilization information to the mail server; 
 computer readable code devices for receiving, at the electronic mail server, the resource utilization information from the Internet service provider; and 
 computer readable code devices for determining connection times for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server and the resource utilization information provided by the Internet service provider. 
 
     
     
       15. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing network resources for a network, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code devices for monitoring resource utilization of the network to produce resource utilization information; 
 computer readable code devices for forwarding the resource utilization information to computers coupled to the network; and 
 computer readable code devices for thereafter determining desirable times to transmit data over the network taking into consideration the resource utilization information, 
 wherein the network is the Internet and the resource utilization information is maintained in a histogram format at predetermined time intervals. 
 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:
 computer readable code devices for transmitting data over the network in accordance with the determined desirable times. 
 
     
     
       17. A method for managing connection of a first node to a second node in a network, said method comprising:
 receiving, at the second node, a registration request and connection needs from the first node, the connection needs pertaining to subsequent connections between the first node and the second node;   storing the connection needs at the second node;   monitoring resource utilization at the second node;   determining suggested transmission times based on the connection needs of the first node and the resource utilization at the second node; and   forwarding the suggested transmission times to the first node.    
     
     
       18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the first node, the suggested transmission times from the second node; and   scheduling the connection times for the first node to the second node in accordance with the suggested transmission times.    
     
     
       19. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the first node, the suggested transmission times from the second node;   determining, at the first node, whether to override the suggested transmission times obtained from the second node; and   scheduling the connection times for the first node to the second node in accordance with at least one of the suggested transmission times and the connection needs of the first node.    
     
     
       20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the first node, the suggested transmission times from the second node;   modifying the suggested transmission times obtained from the second node based on the connection needs of the first node; and   scheduling the connection times for the first node to the second node in accordance with the modified suggested transmission times.    
     
     
       21. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the first node, the suggested transmission times from the second node;   scheduling the connection times for the first node to the second node;   responsive to the scheduled connection times being in accordance with the suggested transmission times, paying a first connection fee; and   responsive to the scheduled connection times not being in accordance with the suggested transmission times, paying a second connection fee higher than the first connection fee.    
     
     
       22. A method for managing connection of a first node to a second node, said method comprising:
 monitoring resource utilization at the second node to produce resource utilization information;   receiving, at the second node, a registration request from the first node;   forwarding the resource utilization information to the first node;   receiving, at the first node, the resource utilization information from the second node; and   determining connection times for the first node to the second node based on the connection needs of the first node and the resource utilization information provided by the second node.    
     
     
       23. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing connection of a first node to a second node, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code for receiving, at the second node, a registration request and connection needs from the first node, the connection needs pertaining to subsequent connections between the first node and the second node;   computer readable code for storing the connection needs at the second node;   computer readable code for monitoring resource utilization at the second node;   computer readable code for determining suggested transmission times based on the connection needs of the first node and the resource utilization at the second node; and   computer readable code for forwarding the suggested transmission times to the first node.    
     
     
       24. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 23, wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:
 computer readable code for receiving, at the first node, the suggested transmission times from the second node; and   computer readable code for scheduling the connection times for the first node to the second node in accordance with the suggested transmission times.    
     
     
       25. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 23, wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:
 computer readable code for receiving, at the first node, the suggested transmission times from the second node;   computer readable code for scheduling the connection times for the first node to the second node;   computer readable code for, responsive to the scheduled connection times being in accordance with the suggested transmission times, paying a first connection fee; and   computer readable code for, responsive to the scheduled connection times not being in accordance with the suggested transmission times, paying a second connection fee higher than the first connection fee.    
     
     
       26. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing connection of a first node to a second node, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code for monitoring resource utilization at the second node to produce resource utilization information;   computer readable code for receiving, at the second node, a registration request from the first node;   computer readable code for forwarding the resource utilization information to the first node;   computer readable code for receiving, at the first node, the resource utilization information from the second node; and   computer readable code for determining connection times for the first node to the second node based on the connection needs of the first node and the resource utilization information provided by the second node.    
     
     
       27. A method for managing connection of an electronic mail server to an Internet service provider, said method comprising:
 receiving, at the Internet service provider, a registration request and connection needs from the electronic mail server, the connection needs pertaining to subsequent connections between the electronic mail server and the Internet service provider;   storing the connection needs at the Internet service provider;   monitoring resource utilization at the Internet service provider;   determining at least one suggested mail transmission time based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server and the resource utilization at the Internet service provider; and   forwarding the at least one suggested mail transmission time to the electronic mail server.    
     
     
       28. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the electronic mail server, the at least one suggested mail transmission time from the Internet service provider; and   scheduling at least one connection time for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider in accordance with the at least one suggested mail transmission time.    
     
     
       29. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the electronic mail server, the at least one suggested mail transmission time from the Internet service provider;   determining, at the electronic mail server, whether to override the at least one suggested mail transmission time obtained from the Internet service provider; and   scheduling at least one connection time for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider in accordance with at least one suggested mail transmission time and the connection needs of the electronic mail server.    
     
     
       30. A computer system connectable to a network, said computer system comprising:
 a network interface, said network interface operates to connect said computer system to the network;   a data storage device, said data storage device stores network resource utilization information obtained from the network via said network interface;   a processor, said processor executes computer instructions and controls input/output operations, said processor also determines at least one desirable time to transmit data over the network taking into consideration the resource utilization information and then transmits data over the network at the at least one desirable time via said network interface,   wherein the resource utilization information is maintained in a histogram format.    
     
     
       31. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing connection of an electronic mail server to an Internet service provider, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code for receiving, at the Internet service provider, a registration request and connection needs from the electronic mail server, the connection needs pertaining to subsequent connections between the electronic mail server and the Internet service provider;   computer readable code for storing the connection needs at the Internet service provider;   computer readable code for monitoring resource utilization at the Internet service provider;   computer readable code for determining at least one suggested mail transmission time based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server and the resource utilization at the Internet service provider; and   computer readable code for forwarding the at least one suggested mail transmission time to the electronic mail server.    
     
     
       32. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 31, wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:
 computer readable code for receiving, at the electronic mail server, the at least one suggested mail transmission time from the Internet service provider; and   computer readable code for scheduling at least one connection time for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider in accordance with the at least one suggested mail transmission time.    
     
     
       33. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing connection of an electronic mail server to an Internet service provider, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code for monitoring resource utilization at the Internet service provider to produce resource utilization information;   computer readable code for receiving, at the Internet service provider, a registration request from the electronic mail server;   computer readable code for forwarding the resource utilization information to the mail server;   computer readable code for receiving, at the electronic mail server, the resource utilization information from the Internet service provider; and   computer readable code for determining at least one connection time for the electronic mail server to the Internet service provider based on the connection needs of the electronic mail server and the resource utilization information provided by the Internet service provider.    
     
     
       34. A method for managing connection of a first node to a second node in a network, said method comprising:
 receiving, at the second node, a registration request and connection needs from the first node, the connection needs pertaining to subsequent connections between the first node and the second node;   storing the connection needs at the second node;   monitoring resource utilization at the second node;   determining at least one suggested transmission time based on the connection needs of the first node and the resource utilization at the second node; and   forwarding the at least one suggested transmission time to the first node.    
     
     
       35. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the first node, the at least one suggested transmission time from the second node; and   scheduling at least one connection time for the first node to the second node in accordance with the at least one suggested transmission time.    
     
     
       36. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving, at the first node, the at least one suggested transmission time from the second node;   determining, at the first node, whether to override the at least one suggested transmission time obtained from the second node; and   scheduling at least one connection time for the first node to the second node in accordance with the at least one suggested transmission time and the connection needs of the first node.    
     
     
       37. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for managing connection of a first node to a second node, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
 computer readable code for receiving, at the second node, a registration request and connection needs from the first node, the connection needs pertain to subsequent connections between the first node and the second node;   computer readable code for storing the connection needs at the second node;   computer readable code for monitoring resource utilization at the second node;   computer readable code for determining at least one suggested transmission time based on the connection needs of the first node and the resource utilization at the second node; and   computer readable code for forwarding the at least one suggested transmission time to the first node.    
     
     
       38. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 37, wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:
 computer readable code for receiving, at the first node, the at least one suggested transmission time from the second node; and   computer readable code for scheduling at least one connection time for the first node to the second node in accordance with the at least one suggested transmission time.