Small group multicast in a computer network
First Claim
1. A memory of a router for storing data for use in multicast transmission through a computer network, the memory comprising:
- a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including a multicast distribution tree adapted to be written into a header of a multicast packet by the router to permit multicast transmission from the router to a destination end station, the multicast distribution tree including a listing configured to specifically identify a path through the computer network for the multicast data packet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data structure is stored in a memory of a router, the router located along a path between a source end station and a plurality of destination end stations in a multicast distribution tree. In response to receipt of trace packets containing a listing of network devices in the multicast distribution tree, the data structure is updated. When the source end station desires to send a multicast packet, it transmits a packet to the router. The router then writes the path information stored in the data structure into the packet. Such path information may include a tree list that specifies the arrangement of network devices along the multicast distribution tree and an address list that specifies the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of these network devices along the multicast distribution tree. By storing the complete description of the network devices of the multicast distribution tree in the packet, routing demands on the devices along the multicast path are minimized.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A memory of a router for storing data for use in multicast transmission through a computer network, the memory comprising:
a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including a multicast distribution tree adapted to be written into a header of a multicast packet by the router to permit multicast transmission from the router to a destination end station, the multicast distribution tree including a listing configured to specifically identify a path through the computer network for the multicast data packet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for using a memory of a router to store data for use in multicast transmission through a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing a data structure in the memory, the data structure including a multicast distribution tree, the multicast distribution tree including a listing configured to specifically identify a path through the computer network for a multicast data packet from the router to a destination end station; and
writing, by the router, the data structure from the memory to a header of the multicast packet. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A data structure stored in a memory of a router, comprising:
a list of addresses of routers adapted to be written into a multicast data packet giving the path through a multicast system of routers for delivery of the multicast packet to a desired end station.
Specification