SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPACITY MANAGEMENT IN MULTI-SERVICE NETWORKS

A methodology for allocation of transmission capacity in communications networks is provided wherein a collection of constant rate channels is imple mented between end points in the network. In that methodology, periodic sources are assigned channels of bandwidth corresponding to the transmission rate for each such s ource, and bursty sources are assigned to channels providing bandwidth corresponding to a minimum service guarantee for each such bursty source. Channel capacity assigned to periodic services which is not needed by such sources is then made available to burst y sources for accommodating capacity requirements of such bursty sources over and above th e minimum service guarantee.