A method for predicting network-traffic bursts includes identifying, in data received by a networking device, a plurality of network-traffic bursts, each of the plurality of network-traffic bursts occurring at a respective one of plurality of burst-times {tN, tN-1, . . . , t0}. The method includes determining a time-interval τn of a next burst occurring at τn after burst-time t1 by determining respective values of τn, a parameter ξ, and a parameter η, that minimize, to within a tolerance, a quantity (fk (ξ, η, k)−(τn−tk)) for at least three values of a integer k. Parameters ξ and η are, respectively, a real and imaginary part of a power-law exponent of a power law relating predicted time-interval τn to any of the plurality of burst-times. The method includes determining, from a cumulative distribution function of a normal distribution of previously-identified network-traffic bursts, a time-duration during which the networking device may reallocate bandwidth.