Patent attributes
Methods and apparatus for dynamic pricing and scheduling of network data transfers are disclosed. A system a plurality of network-accessible resources and a data transfer coordinator. In response to a client request for a network transfer of a data set, the coordinator determines, based at on a network-related metric of one or more resources, at least one time window during which a portion or all of the data set is transferable for a pricing rate below a threshold. The coordinator notifies the client of the time window and provides a duration-limited token authorizing data transfer during the window. The coordinator determines whether a network transmission of data on behalf of the client is valid based at least in part on a time at which the transmission is initiated and at least in part on a use of the token.