An end-host based network management system and methods are described. The methods are performed independently at each end-host within the network based on data on local flows which is shared between end-hosts. In an embodiment, an end-host shares data on constrained local flows with other end-hosts and receives such data from other end-hosts. Based on this data, the end-host determines which flows from other nodes are competing for a shared resource with a constrained local flow and allocates the capacity of the shared resource between all the competing flows. This allocation is then enforced for the local flow by the end-host. Other end-hosts with competing flows perform similar methods and through an iterative process the contention for the shared resource is resolved and the utilization of the shared resource is optimized.