Server directed multicast communication method and system

• US 6,078,954 A
• Filed: 05/26/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CSI, Inc. (Integrated Services Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Williams Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Naufel, Douglas, Lakey, Jeremy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, VIET DUY
• Application Number:
  US09/084,758
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/219, 709/220, 709/223, 709/224, 709/225, 709/230, 709/237, 709/238, 709/242, 709/250, 709/313, 709/328, 370/400, 370/409
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5046 Resolving address allocation conflicts; Testing of addresses testing when self-assigning an address H04L61/5092
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5069 for group communication, multicast communication or broadcast communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method and system of implementing a multicast protocol in a data network capable of basic internet protocol data traffic which provides a medium for data transfer. By illustration the data network comprises a server system and a plurality of clients connected to the server by way of a common network. This method and system manages the assignment of multicast addresses for each client and places each client into specific multicast groups based upon their multicast addresses. This method and system is then able to transfer multicast packets to individual clients based upon their multicast addresses.

Claims

1. A multicast information system comprising:

a server central processing unit system;

a plurality of clients connected by a common network to the server system;

wherein the server system includes;

(a) a first computer processor;

(b) a data storage; and

(c) a first memory responsively coupled to the first computer processor and the data storage containing;

(1) a set of computer instructions for assigning said plurality of clients into a specific multicast group;

(2) a set of computer instructions for notifying said plurality of clients as to which multicast group each client has been assigned; and

(3) a set of computer instructions for executing server initiated actions;

wherein each said client device comprises;

(a) a second computer processor;

(b) input means;

(c) a display unit; and

(d) a second memory responsively coupled to the second computer processor containing;

a set of computer instructions for interacting with said server system

a set of computer instructions for notifying said server that said client is active within said network; and

a set of computer instructions for receiving said assignment notification from said server.

2. A multicast information system comprising:

a server central processing unit system;

a plurality of clients connected by a common network to the system;

wherein the server system includes;

(a) a first computer processor;

(b) a data storage for storing a first database wherein the first database stores specific information regarding each client; and

(c) a first memory responsively coupled to the first computer processor and the data storage containing;

(1) a set of computer instructions for receiving notification from a client computer that the client computer is active within the network;

(2) a set of computer instructions for requesting specific information from the first database regarding said client computer;

(3) a set of computer instructions for searching the first database for said specific information;

(4) a set of computer instructions for sending said specific information to said first computer processor;

(5) a set of computer instructions for assigning said client computer to a multicast group; and

(6) a set of computer instructions for notifying said client computer of said assignment;

wherein each said client device comprises;

(a) a second computer processor;

(b) input means;

(c) a display unit; and

(d) a second memory responsively coupled to the second computer processor containing;

(1) a set of computer instructions for notifying said server that said client is active within said network and ready for assignment;

(2) a set of computer instructions for receiving said assignment notification from said server.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first memory further comprises:

(a) a set of computer instructions for assigning said client computer to a plurality of multicast groups.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the first memory further comprises:

(a) a set of computer instructions for creating an error multicast group;

(b) a set of computer instruction for placing said client computer into said error multicast group if the first database contains no specific information regard said client computer.

5. A multicast communication method for multicasting information to and from a server central processing unit system to a plurality of clients, wherein the server system and each client is connected to a common network, wherein the server system includes data storage storing a first database having records of specific information regarding each client, a first computer processor and a first memory responsively coupled to the first database and first computer processor, wherein each client comprises a second computer processor, a display device, an input means and a second memory responsively coupled to the second processor, the display device and the input means, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) transmitting notification from a client to the server system that said client is active with the network and ready for assignment;

(b) assigning said client to a specific multicast group by said server; and

(c) transmitting notification of said assignment from said server to said client.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said client is assigned to a plurality of multicast groups.

7. The method of claim 5 comprising the additional steps of:

(a) transmitting notification from a client to the server system that said client is active within the network;

(b) receiving said notification by said server system;

(c) requesting specific information by said server system which includes a plurality of multicast addresses of said client from the first database;

(d) searching records of a first database for specific information of said client;

(e) transmits said records from said first database to said server system;

(f) assigning said client to specific multicast group by said server system;

(g) contacting and informing said client of said assignment by said server system;

(h) waiting for further instructions from server system.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the additional steps of:

(a) if records do not exist, database transmits no information from said server;

(b) if records do not exist, server system creates an unknown multicast group and assigns client to said unknown multicast group.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

(a) sending status requests from said server system to each active client computer;

(b) if a client responds, said server system does not take any action;

(c) if a client does not respond, server system places said client into an error multicast group for evaluation.

13. A multicast communication method as set forth in claim 5 including the additional steps of said server initiating an action to be performed by said clients assigned to said specific group and said server transmitting said action to said specific group.

10. A multicast communication method for multicasting information to and from a server central processing unit system to a plurality of clients, wherein the server system and each client is connected to a common network, wherein the server system includes data storage storing a first database having records of specific information regarding each client, a first computer processor and a first memory responsively coupled to the first database and first computer processor, wherein each client comprises a second computer processor, a display device, an input means and a second memory responsively coupled to the second processor, the display device and the input means, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) transmitting notification from a client to the server system that said client is active within the network;

(b) receiving said notification by said server system;

(c) requesting specific information by said server system which includes a plurality of multicast addresses of said client from the first database;

(d) searching records of a first database for specific information of said client;

(e) if records do not exist, database transmits no information from said server;

(f) if records do not exist, server system creates an unknown multicast group and assigns client to said unknown multicast group;

(g) if records do exist, transmits said records from said first database to said server system;

(h) assigning said client to specific multicast group by said server system;

(i) contacting and informing said client of said assignment by said server system;

(j) waiting for further instructions from server system.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

(a) sending status requests from said server system to each active client computer;

(b) if a client responds, server system does not take any action;

(c) if a client does not respond, server system places said client into an error multicast group for evaluation.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said client is assigned to a plurality of multicast groups.