US Patent 7764628 Method for controlling traffic balance between peering networks

A method that measures ratio, relative to a peering network, of traffic burden of incoming traffic to traffic burden of outgoing traffic, where traffic burden takes into account traffic volume and distance that the traffic traverses through the network. A determination is made from this ratio as to whether an imbalance exists with the peering network. With the assistance of a simulation of changes in routing policy and their effects, an existing or impending imbalance is remedied by changing the routing policy relative to particular customers, for example from a “hot potato” routing policy to a “best exit” routing policy.