US Patent 9654483 Network communication rate limiter

A technology is described for limiting the rate at which a number of requests to perform a network action are granted using rate limiters. An example method may include receiving a request for a token granting permission to perform a network action via a computer network. In response, rate limiters may be identified by generating hash values using hash functions and a network address representing a source network where the hash values identify memory locations for the rate limiters. The rate limiters may have a computer memory capacity to store tokens that are distributed in response to the request. Token balances for the rate limiters may be determined, and permission to perform the network action may be granted as a result of at least one of the token balances being greater than zero.