A system assigns network traffic flows to appropriate queues and/or queue
servicing algorithms based upon one or more flow parameters contained in
reservation requests associated with the traffic flows. The system may be
disposed at an intermediate network device within a computer network. The
intermediate network device includes a reservation engine, a packet
classification engine, an admission control entity, a traffic scheduler,
and a flow analyzer. The flow analyzer includes or has access to a memory
that is preprogrammed with one or more heuristic sets for use in
evaluating the flow parameters of reservation requests. When a
reservation request that includes one or more flow parameters
characterizing the bandwidth and/or forwarding requirements of the
anticipated traffic flow is received, the flow analyzer applies the
heuristic sets. Depending on which set of heuristics, if any, the
parameters satisfy, the flow analyzer selects the appropriate queue
and/or queue servicing algorithm for the flow.