System and method for pricing agent for differentiated services computer networks

摘要

A system and method for notifying a user of a current service upgrade price corresponding to the user of priority network service. A user makes an inquiry about using priority network service, for example by choosing an option from a browser. In response to the inquiry, a pricing daemon displays a current priority network price on the user's display screen. The pricing daemon receives the current priority network price from a network service provider, such as an ISP. The user reviews the displayed price and either accepts or rejects the priority service at the displayed rate. If the user accepts the priority service, the pricing daemon informs the network service provider. In response, the network service provider begins charging the user for the priority service and also begins marking the user's packets with a priority header.