Overlay Signaling For Bit Indexed Explicit Replication

• US 20150139228A1
• Filed: 01/23/2015
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wijnands, Ijsbrand, Shepherd, Gregory J., Martin, Christian J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,461,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/390
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/16 Multipoint routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/54 Organization of routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/74 Address processing for routing

Abstract

Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a membership request at a node. The membership request is received from a host and the membership request identifies a multicast group. In response to receiving the membership request, the node generates a membership message. The membership message includes information identifying the multicast group and information identifying the node. The node transmits the membership to an overlay participant that stores a bit string associated with the multicast group.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a node, a membership request from a host, wherein

the membership request identifies a multicast group;

in response to the receiving the membership request, generating a membership message,

wherein

the membership message includes information identifying the multicast group and information identifying the node; and

transmitting the membership message to an overlay participant of a plurality of overlay participants, wherein

the overlay participant stores a bit string associated with the multicast group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein

the membership message comprises a border gateway protocol (BGP) message, and

the transmitting is performed using BGP.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein

the membership message comprises a bit string having a bit position for each node in a first area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein

the node comprises an area boundary router (ABR).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein

the node comprises a multicast domain controller (MDC).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein

the transmitting is performed using an interior gateway protocol (IGP).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein

the membership message comprises a source address.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein

the membership request comprises a MAC address.

9. A network device comprising:

a memory;

a network interface configured to receive a membership request from a host, wherein

the membership request identifies a multicast group; and

a processor configured to

generate a membership message, wherein

the membership message includes information identifying the multicast group and information identifying the node; and

transmit the membership message to an overlay participant of a plurality of overlay participants, wherein

the overlay participant stores a bit string associated with the multicast group.

10. The network device of claim 9, wherein

the membership message comprises a border gateway protocol (BGP) message, and

transmitting the membership message is performed using BGP.

11. The network device of claim 9, wherein

the membership message comprises a bit string having a bit position for each node in a first area.

12. The network device of claim 9, wherein

the node comprises an area boundary router (ABR).

13. The network device of claim 9, wherein

the node comprises a multicast domain controller (MDC).

14. The network device of claim 9, wherein

transmitting the membership message is performed using an interior gateway protocol (IGP).

15. The network device of claim 9, wherein

the membership message comprises a source address.

16. The network device of claim 9, wherein

the membership request comprises a MAC address.

17. A system comprising:

storage means;

network interface means for receiving a membership request from a host, wherein

the membership request identifies a multicast group; and

processing means for

generating a membership message, wherein

the membership message includes information identifying the multicast group and information identifying the node; and

transmitting the membership message to an overlay participant of a plurality of overlay participants, wherein

the overlay participant stores a bit string associated with the multicast group.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein

the membership message comprises a border gateway protocol (BGP) message, and

transmitting the membership message is performed using BGP.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein

the membership message comprises a bit string having a bit position for each node in a first area.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein

the node comprises an area boundary router (ABR).