Method for consolidating backward resource management cells for abr services in an atm network

Abstract

A method for consolidating backward resource management (BRM) cells in an available bit rate point-to-multipoint tree including a root, a plurality of leaves and a branch point interconnected between the root and the leaves. Initially, congestion information memory devices are reset. Then for each incoming return BRM cell to the branch point a determination is made whether the branch point has received a return BRM cell from a predetermined number of candidates in a candidate set of candidate-branches. If the branch point has not received a return BRM cell from the predetermined number of candidates in the candidate set then the congestion information from the incoming return BRM cell and the congestion information in the congestion information memory devices are consolidated in the congestion information memory devices. After the congestion information memory devices have been updated with the consolidated congestion information then the incoming return BRM cell is discarded and the determination is repeated for the next incoming return BRM cell. If the branch point has received a return BRM cell from the predetermined number of candidates in the candidate set then the congestion information from the incoming return BRM cell and the congestion information in the congestion information memory devices are consolidated in the incoming return BRM cell before being passed back to the root. The congestion information memory devices are then reset and the process is repeated for the next incoming return BRM cell. In addition, various methods may be used to control the rate of pass back of incoming return backward resource management cells at a branch point to a source.