Dynamic distributed multicast routing protocol
First Claim
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1. A method of joining a multicast connection originating from a source node distributing multicast information, said multicast connection being established in a network composed of a plurality of communications nodes, said method comprising the steps of:
- at one of said nodes, responsive to receipt of a request to receive said multicast information, constructing at least one routing tree formed from selected paths to each of a number of other nodes identified in the tree and sending a message identifying said multicast information to the selected nodes in accordance with the routing tree, andat said one node, responsive to receipt of a message identifying said source node as being the originator of the identified multicast information, sending a message containing a request to join multicast distribution of the identified multicast information.
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Abstract
The distribution of multicast information in a communications network formed from a plurality of communications nodes, e.g., ATM switches, is enhanced by providing an efficient mechanism for routing a request to join a multicast connection to an originator of the multicast and an efficient mechanism for then connecting the requester to the multicast connection.
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12 Claims
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1. A method of joining a multicast connection originating from a source node distributing multicast information, said multicast connection being established in a network composed of a plurality of communications nodes, said method comprising the steps of:
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at one of said nodes, responsive to receipt of a request to receive said multicast information, constructing at least one routing tree formed from selected paths to each of a number of other nodes identified in the tree and sending a message identifying said multicast information to the selected nodes in accordance with the routing tree, and at said one node, responsive to receipt of a message identifying said source node as being the originator of the identified multicast information, sending a message containing a request to join multicast distribution of the identified multicast information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of joining a multicast connection originating from a source node distributing multicast information, said multicast connection being established in a network composed of a plurality of communications nodes, said method comprising the steps of
at a network node, responsive to receiving from first and second other ones of the network nodes respective message requests to join the multicast, determining as a function of a predetermined parameter a first one and a second one of the first and second nodes, said first one is to be connected first to the multicast connection and sending a wait message to said second one, forwarding the message received from said first one over a path contained in that message, and thereafter, responsive to receipt of multicast information from a source via a path rooted at the source, supplying the multicast information to said first one.
Specification