Advanced multicast support for cable
First Claim
1. A network comprising:
- a device to generate a request to join a multicast session over a cable network;
a cable modem termination system in communication with the device, the cable modem termination system to receive the request from the device and to generate a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session; and
a cable modem in communication with the cable modem termination system and the device, the cable modem to receive the flow identifier from the cable modem termination system and forward the multicast session to the device from the cable modem termination system based on the flow identifier, wherein the cable modem termination system generates an explicit label in a DOCSIS header to use as the flow identifier to associate with the multicast session.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments may comprise a cable network that shifts control plane functionality for multicast sessions to a cable modem termination system allowing multicast without a cable modem snooping messages from a coupled device. Another embodiment may comprise a network including a device to generate a request to join a multicast session over a cable network, a cable modem termination system in communication with the device, the cable modem termination system to receive the request from the device and to generate a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session, and a cable modem in communication with the cable modem termination system and the device, the cable modem to receive the flow identifier from the cable modem termination system and forward the multicast session to the device from the cable modem termination system based on the flow identifier. Other embodiments may comprise an apparatus that has a port to receive a request from a cable modem to join a multicast session, and circuitry to generate a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session and communicate the flow identifier to the cable modem to allow the cable modem to forward the multicast session to a device.
44 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A network comprising:
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a device to generate a request to join a multicast session over a cable network; a cable modem termination system in communication with the device, the cable modem termination system to receive the request from the device and to generate a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session; and a cable modem in communication with the cable modem termination system and the device, the cable modem to receive the flow identifier from the cable modem termination system and forward the multicast session to the device from the cable modem termination system based on the flow identifier, wherein the cable modem termination system generates an explicit label in a DOCSIS header to use as the flow identifier to associate with the multicast session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
a port to receive a request from a cable modem to join a multicast session; and
circuitry to;generate a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session; communicate the flow identifier to the cable modem to allow the cable modem to forward the multicast session to a device, wherein the circuitry can generate an explicit label in a DOCSIS header to use as the flow identifier to associate with the multicast session. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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receiving a request from a cable modem to join a multicast session; generating a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session; using a control plane protocol to communicate the flow identifier to the cable modem; and forwarding the multicast session through the cable modem to a device, wherein generating a flow identifier includes generating an explicit label in a DOCSIS header to use as the flow identifier to associate with the multicast session. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving a request from a cable modem to join a multicast session; means for generating a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session; means for using a control plane protocol to communicate the flow identifier to the cable modem; and means for forwarding the multicast session through the cable modem to a device, wherein means for generating a flow identifier includes means for generating an explicit label in a DOCSIS header to use as the flow identifier to associate with the multicast session. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed cause a cable modem termination system to:
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receive a request from a cable modem to join a multicast session; generate a flow identifier to associate with the multicast session; use a control plane protocol to communicate the flow identifier to the cable modem; forward the multicast session through the cable modem to a device; and cause the cable modem termination system to generate an explicit label in a DOCSIS header to use as the flow identifier to associate with the multicast session. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification