Controlling bandwidth across multiple users for interactive services

[0004]In another embodiment, a computer system performs a method for allowing connections to temporarily exceed bandwidth allocations using token credits. The computer system determines that a bandwidth managing service has been instantiated. The bandwidth managing service is configured to assign tokens to requesting connections, where the tokens are distributed from a pool of tokens that represents a total available bandwidth for a network. The bandwidth managing service determines that a specified connection has used less than an allocated, aggregated amount of bandwidth over a specified period of time and stores the tokens allocated to the connection. As such, the tokens form credits from which bandwidth for data transfers is to be drawn. The bandwidth managing service further receives a data request from the connection, which includes at least some of the stored tokens, indicating that credits are to be used to receive bandwidth allocation for a data transfer. The bandwidth managing service also allocates a specified amount of network bandwidth to the connection commensurate with the stored tokens received in the data request.

[0005]This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

To prevent users from consuming too much bandwidth, their connections are often throttled, resulting in a potentially degraded experience.