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glossary:t:token_bucket [2018/06/11 18:54] (current)
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 +# Token Bucket
 +
 +A token bucket algorithm is a method of handling packet traffic, by using an analogy of a *bucket* containing a number of *tokens* that arrive at a particular rate. Tokens are used to limit when data packets are transmitted.
 +
 +The *depth* of the bucket limits the number of tokens, and the rate of arriving tokens limits how quickly packets can be sent.
 +
 +The concept is as follows:
 +
 +* Tokens are added to the bucket at a fixed rate.
 +* If the bucket becomes full, arriving tokens are thrown away.
 +* Arriving data packets use up tokens from the bucket and are transmitted on the network.
 +
 +This means that the bucket needs to be deep enough to handle bursts of traffic, and the token rate limits the transmission rate.
 +