Hierarchical level-based internet protocol multicasting
First Claim
1. A method for routing packets of data from a source to a plurality of routers and receivers in a hierarchical network comprising the steps of:
- assigning each router in said network to one of a plurality of hierarchical levels;
identifying a scope region bounded by one or more of the plurality hierarchical levels in which to route said packets of data;
identifying a root identifier for the scope region;
forwarding packets of data from said source to the routers in the network wherein said packets of data contain data fields identifying the scope region and the root identifier of the scope region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Hierarchical Level-Based IP Multicasting (HLIM) is a method for the multicasting of data packets from a source to a number of receivers on a network that supports both host and network mobility. In HLIM, IP routers are assigned to hierarchical levels to become hierarchical designated routers. The hierarchical levels also are used to define a scope region in which multicast data packets are to be delivered. Each scope region is associated with a unique root identifier (RID). Scope region information and root identifiers are placed into a multicast address so that multicast packers of data will be distributed to routers and hosts within the scope region. If a host (receiver or source) or sub-network moves out of the scope region but desires to continue receiving multi-cast packets the host can request receipt of such packets from its new parent hierarchical designated router through use of the RID and associated binding point (BPT). In this manner, HLIM provides a shared and shortest-path multicast tree without using a center point like a core or rendezvous point. HLIM supports not only host mobility (movements of IP hosts) but also network mobility (movements of IP routers with/without hosts). HLIM is oriented to operate in hierarchical networks, but can be also applied to flat networks by emulating the networks into organized hierarchical networks through mechanisms such as the Private Network-to-Network Interface (“PNNI”) protocol used in ATM or multimedia support for mobile wireless networks (“MMWM”). Thus, HLIM can be implemented as long as the network nodes are connected in a hierarchy, physically or virtually.
633 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for routing packets of data from a source to a plurality of routers and receivers in a hierarchical network comprising the steps of:
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assigning each router in said network to one of a plurality of hierarchical levels;
identifying a scope region bounded by one or more of the plurality hierarchical levels in which to route said packets of data;
identifying a root identifier for the scope region;
forwarding packets of data from said source to the routers in the network wherein said packets of data contain data fields identifying the scope region and the root identifier of the scope region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of joining a receiver to a multicast tree of a multicast session for receiving data packets from a source wherein the source is sending data packets to a plurality of routers in a scope region in a hierarchical network of routers for the mulitcast session having an application identifier comprising the steps of:
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obtaining at the joining receiver the scope region and the application identifier of the multicast session from the source;
sending a root identifier request from the joining receiver to a first parent router to which said joining receiver is in communication wherein said root identifier request contains the scope region and the application identifier of the multicast session;
determining at the first parent router whether the first parent router is within the scope region;
if the first parent router is within the scope region, locating the root identifier for the scope region at the first parent router;
invoking a join operation at the first parent router to join the receiver to the multicast session;
and then replying from the first parent router to the receiver with a root identifier reply message once the join operation is completed. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a hierarchical network, a method for receiving at a receiver packets of data routed by routers from a source as part of a multicast session identified by a scope region having a unique root identifier and an application identifier wherein the receiver has moved from being in communication with a first router to being in communication with a second router comprising the step of:
sending a mobility report message from the mobile receiver to the second router wherein the mobility report message contains data identifying the scope region of the multicast session, the application identifier of the multicast session and the root identifier of the scope region. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of forwarding packets of data from a multicast session in a network of routers arranged into a plurality of hierarchical levels comprising the step of forwarding packets of data between routers, wherein said packets of data contain data identifying a scope region containing the lower and upper hierarchical levels to which the packets will be forwarded, an application identifier for the multicast session and a unique root identifier for the scope region.
Specification