A method for controlling a bandwidth over a communication link connecting first and second client network elements. The first element is configured to send to the second element data traffic including at least a best effort traffic flow of packets. The method includes: at the first element, marking a number of best effort packets with a control code, the control code taking values within a predetermined ordered control sequence of values, and sending the marked packets to the second element through the link; at the second element, checking the control code of each marked best effort packet and, in case of detection of a missing value of the control code, sending to the first element a packet containing a feedback code indicative of an adjustment of the bandwidth; and, at the first element, upon reception of the feedback code, adjusting the bandwidth.

Incremental data processing at a computerized device includes determining a number of data sets from a plurality of data sets, each comprising values in at least two dimensions. The device accesses priority lists for a subset of the data sets. The priority lists specify data values for an ordered number of dimension value sets. Each priority list is sequentially processed to determine the specified data values for combinations of dimension values that apply to device requirements. Processing is aborted when a data value is determined for each combination of the dimension values that apply to the device requirements. A data value is selected among the determined data values. A number of data sets is determined based on the selected data values. A network route from a source device to a target device can be determined in this manner.

Incremental data processing at a computerized device includes determining a number of data sets from a plurality of data sets, each comprising values in at least two dimensions. The device accesses priority lists for a subset of the data sets. The priority lists specify data values for an ordered number of dimension value sets. Each priority list is sequentially processed to determine the specified data values for combinations of dimension values that apply to device requirements. Processing is aborted when a data value is determined for each combination of the dimension values that apply to the device requirements. A data value is selected among the determined data values. A number of data sets is determined based on the selected data values. A network route from a source device to a target device can be determined in this manner.

A method includes receiving, at a device from a content source, a portion of a particular chunk of media content a particular quality level during adaptive bit rate media streaming of the media content. The method includes receiving, at the device, network data related to network conditions associated with the device in response to receipt of the portion. The method also includes, in response to a determination to download the particular chunk at a first quality level different than the particular quality level, the determination based on the particular quality level and the network data: sending a request from the device for the particular chunk at the first quality level to the content source, and replacing the portion with the particular chunk at the first quality level.

A method includes receiving, at a device from a content source, a portion of a particular chunk of media content a particular quality level during adaptive bit rate media streaming of the media content. The method includes receiving, at the device, network data related to network conditions associated with the device in response to receipt of the portion. The method also includes, in response to a determination to download the particular chunk at a first quality level different than the particular quality level, the determination based on the particular quality level and the network data: sending a request from the device for the particular chunk at the first quality level to the content source, and replacing the portion with the particular chunk at the first quality level.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining predicted available bandwidths for an end user device, monitoring buffer occupancy of a buffer of the end user device, determining bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy, and adjusting bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy during streaming of the media content to the end user device over a wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining predicted available bandwidths for an end user device, monitoring buffer occupancy of a buffer of the end user device, determining bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy, and adjusting bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy during streaming of the media content to the end user device over a wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include receiving traffic associated with at least one of a mobile network and a Gi-Local Area Network (data-plane), wherein the traffic comprises one or more packets; determining a classification of the traffic to a service chain, wherein the service chain comprises one or more service functions associated at least one of one or more mobile network services and one or more data-plane services; routing the traffic through the service chain; and routing the traffic to a network using one of a plurality of egress interfaces, wherein each egress interface of the plurality of egress interfaces is associated with at least one of the one or more mobile network services and the one or more data-plane services.

An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include receiving traffic associated with at least one of a mobile network and a Gi-Local Area Network (data-plane), wherein the traffic comprises one or more packets; determining a classification of the traffic to a service chain, wherein the service chain comprises one or more service functions associated at least one of one or more mobile network services and one or more data-plane services; routing the traffic through the service chain; and routing the traffic to a network using one of a plurality of egress interfaces, wherein each egress interface of the plurality of egress interfaces is associated with at least one of the one or more mobile network services and the one or more data-plane services.

A source device executing the application can transmit the streaming content to the playback device. The size of the buffer can be changed during the playback of streaming content. To perform the change seamlessly, embodiments can cause the application to provide the streaming content at an increased or decreased rate, depending on how the size of the playback buffer is to be changed. The new buffer size (i.e., smaller or larger amount) can provide improved playback of the streaming content, e.g., based on a latency-reliability tradeoff as determined using various factors (e.g., quality of connection between the devices). The changed rate for providing the streaming content can be achieved by slowing down or speeding up a clock signal that is provided to the application.