Traffic-based valuation makes the Merkato Buyer agent respond to changes in network traffic. As traffic fluctuates, the Buyer agent reacts by changing the quantity of bandwidth it bids for. This change is incremental; the agent bids for the measured traffic (plus the quantity margin) for the duration of the Time Window.
However, traffic may increase dramatically during that time.
The Quick Response feature is useful for buyers who know, when traffic reaches a certain threshold, that the agent should increase its bidding quantity to a specific peak. This is the peak traffic the buyer expects.
The Quick Response feature works with Traffic-based bidding to make Merkato bidding jump to a certain quantity. It works only when Traffic-based bidding is activated.
Traffic-based bidding tracks usage and causes the agent to bid at this rate (plus the quantity margin). Then traffic exceeds the traffic threshold. Immediately, the agent begins bidding for the estimated peak amount (plus the quantity margin). The agent continues bidding at this rate. Every five minutes Merkato examines the usage rate for the duration of the traffic window. When all traffic in the traffic window falls below the threshold, the agent resumes Traffic-based bidding.
When Quick Response is enabled (as well as Traffic-based valuation), your agent reacts to bursts of traffic by starting immediately to bid at the Est. Peak Traffic level (plus the Qty. Margin).
An agent with Quick Response enabled uses the values you place in two fields:
Traffic Threshold—The quantity of traffic that triggers the Quick Response. When Merkato detects this level of traffic it changes the amount of bandwidth that the agent bids for.
Estimated Peak Traffic —When Quick Response is triggered, the amount the agent bids for is the amount you enter in the Est. Peak Traffic field, plus the quantity margin.
Note: Est.PeakTraffic should not exceed the amount in the valuation window’s Quantity field. The agent will not bid for an amount larger than is entered in the Quantity field.
Active check box¾Checking this box enables Quick Response bidding on your agent.
Apply¾Clicking Apply makes the numbers entered in the fields of the Quick Response tab active.
The signals mean the following:
Not Ready: Quick Response Valuation has been engaged, but there has not yet been a Time Window during which all traffic is below the Traffic Threshold. If a Time Window ends with no traffic above the threshold, the signal returns to Ready.
Ready: Quick Response is active, but no traffic above the Traffic Threshold been detected.
Engaged: Merkato has detected traffic above the Traffic Threshold and Quick Response is active. This state remains for at least the duration of the Time Window.
There is no guarantee of getting an amount of bandwidth equal to your estimated peak traffic. There are two reasons for this:
· The Estimated Peak Traffic may exceed the amount the Seller is offering.
· The Estimated Peak Traffic may exceed your budget (for instance, if demand is higher than you anticipated and your budget does not cover the cost). Your Agent will still try to acquire as much bandwidth as it can.