TECHNIQUE FOR PRIORITIZING TRAFFIC AT A ROUTER

A network traffic managing node of a communication network, such as a router or gateway, can implement a network traffic routing and bandwidth management mechanism. A first application associated with a first communication stream of a communication network is determined. A first maximum bandwidth is assigned to the first communication stream. The first maximum bandwidth is determined based on a first traffic class associated with the first application. A routing of the first communication stream is managed based, at least in part, on the first traffic class and the first maximum bandwidth. A second maximum bandwidth associated with a second traffic class is assigned to the first communication stream in response to determining a bandwidth associated with the first communication stream exceeds the first maximum bandwidth. A routing of the first communication stream is managed based on the second traffic class and the second maximum bandwidth.