Method and apparatus for bandwidth-efficient multicast in ethernet passive optical networks
First Claim
1. A method for performing multicast in an Ethernet passive optical network which includes a central node and at least one remote node, wherein downstream data from the central node is broadcast through the passive optical coupler to the remote nodes, and wherein upstream data from a remote node is transmitted through the passive optical coupler to the central node in a unicast manner, the method comprising:
- selecting a common multicast logic link ID (LLID) to represent a number of remote nodes that comprise a multicast group; and
upon receiving a multicast message destined to the multicast group, sending the multicast message along with the multicast LLID for the multicast group, whereby the multicast message is broadcast through the passive optical coupler in the downstream direction, and whereby each remote node belonging to the multicast group can receive the multicast message by matching the multicast LLID.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates bandwidth-efficient multicast in EPONs. The system includes a central node and at least one remote node. Downstream data from the central node is broadcast through a passive optical coupler to remote nodes. In the other direction, upstream data from a remote node is transmitted through the passive optical coupler to the central node in a unicast manner. During operation, the system first selects a common multicast LLID to represent a number of remote nodes that comprise a multicast group. Upon receiving a multicast message destined to the multicast group, the system sends the multicast message along with the multicast LLID for the multicast group, whereby the multicast message is broadcast through the passive optical coupler in the downstream direction. This allows each remote node belonging to the multicast group to receive the multicast message by matching the multicast LLID.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for performing multicast in an Ethernet passive optical network which includes a central node and at least one remote node, wherein downstream data from the central node is broadcast through the passive optical coupler to the remote nodes, and wherein upstream data from a remote node is transmitted through the passive optical coupler to the central node in a unicast manner, the method comprising:
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selecting a common multicast logic link ID (LLID) to represent a number of remote nodes that comprise a multicast group; and
upon receiving a multicast message destined to the multicast group, sending the multicast message along with the multicast LLID for the multicast group, whereby the multicast message is broadcast through the passive optical coupler in the downstream direction, and whereby each remote node belonging to the multicast group can receive the multicast message by matching the multicast LLID. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus that performs multicast in an Ethernet passive optical network, comprising:
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at least one remote node;
a central node configured to, select a common multicast LLID to represent a number of remote nodes that comprise a multicast group, and upon receiving a multicast message destined to the multicast group, send the multicast message along with the multicast LLID for the multicast group, whereby the multicast message is broadcast through the passive optical coupler in the downstream direction, and whereby each remote node belonging to the multicast group can receive the multicast message by matching the multicast LLID; and
a passive optical coupler coupled between the central node and the remote nodes, whereby downstream data from the central node to remote nodes is broadcast through the passive optical coupler, and whereby upstream data from a remote node to the central node is transmitted through the passive optical coupler in a unicast manner. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for performing multicast in an Ethernet passive optical network which includes a central node and at least one remote node, wherein downstream data from the central node is broadcast through the passive optical coupler to the remote nodes, and wherein upstream data from a remote node is transmitted through the passive optical coupler to the central node in a unicast manner, the method comprising:
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selecting a common multicast logic link ID (LLID) to represent a number of remote nodes that comprise a multicast group; and
upon receiving a multicast message destined to the multicast group, sending the multicast message along with the multicast LLID for the multicast group, whereby the multicast message is broadcast through the passive optical coupler in the downstream direction, and whereby each remote node belonging to the multicast group can receive the multicast message by matching the multicast LLID. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification