US Patent 8446831 Meter-based hierarchical bandwidth sharing

Example methods and apparatus for hierarchical bandwidth management are disclosed. An example method includes, receiving a data packet included in a first data traffic flow having a first rate of traffic. The example method further includes marking the data packet with a first marker type if the first rate of traffic is less than or equal to a first threshold, otherwise marking the data packet with a second marker type. The example method also includes combining the first data traffic flow with a second data traffic flow having a second rate of traffic to produce a third data traffic flow having a third rate of traffic. The example method still further includes, if the data packet is marked with the first marker type, forwarding the data packet in the third data flow. The example method yet further includes, if the data packet is marked with the second marker type and the third rate of traffic is less than or equal to a second threshold, forwarding the data packet in the third data flow, otherwise, discarding the packet.