Bit Indexed Explicit Replication For Professional Media Networks

• US 20150181309A1
• Filed: 02/28/2015
• Published: 06/25/2015
• 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: Shepherd, Gregory J., Wijnands, Ijsbrand, Kernen, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,571,897 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1886 with traffic restrictions for efficiency improvement, e.g. involving subnets or subdomains
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2212/00 Encapsulation of packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/16 Multipoint routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6437 Real-time Transport Protocol [RTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64784 Data processing by the network data processing in packet switching systems H04L12/56; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90; provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56

Abstract

Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a first bit string at a node, encapsulating a packet with the first bit string, and forwarding the packet. The method also involves receiving a second bit string at the node and selecting the second bit string. The method also involves encapsulating a second packet with the second bit string and forwarding the second packet.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first bit string at a node;

encapsulating a first packet with the first bit string;

forwarding the first packet;

receiving a second bit string at the node;

selecting the second bit string;

encapsulating the second packet with the second bit string; and

forwarding the second packet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein

the first bit string the second bit string are received from a controller.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein

each bit in the first bit string corresponds to a respective receiver interface.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a switch trigger, wherein

the switch trigger indicates the end of a portion of video data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein

the switch trigger comprises a bit in a Real-time Transfer Protocol (RTP) frame.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein

the selecting the second bit string is performed in response to detecting the switch trigger.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein

the selecting the second bit string comprises updating a pointer.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein

a time interval between detecting the switch trigger and the forwarding the second packet is less than a predetermined constant value.

9. A system comprising:

a first node configured to

receive a first bit string at a node;

encapsulate a first packet with the first bit string;

forward the first packet;

receive a second bit string at the node;

select the second bit string;

encapsulate the second packet with the second bit string; and

forward the second packet.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein

the first bit string the second bit string are received from a controller.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein

each bit in the first bit string corresponds to a respective receiver interface.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first node is further configured to:

detect a switch trigger, wherein

the switch trigger indicates the end of a portion of video data.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein

selecting the second bit string is performed in response to detecting the switch trigger.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein

a time interval between detecting the switch trigger and the forwarding the second packet is less than a predetermined constant value.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising executable instructions, wherein a method is implemented in response to executing the instructions, the method comprising:

receiving a first bit string at a node;

encapsulating a first packet with the first bit string;

forwarding the first packet;

receiving a second bit string at the node;

selecting the second bit string;

encapsulating the second packet with the second bit string; and

forwarding the second packet.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein

the first bit string the second bit string are received from a controller.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein

each bit in the first bit string corresponds to a respective receiver interface.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting a switch trigger, wherein

the switch trigger indicates the end of a portion of video data.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein

the selecting the second bit string is performed in response to detecting the switch trigger.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein

a time interval between detecting the switch trigger and the forwarding the second packet is less than a predetermined constant value.