Rerouting multicast traffic in response to detecting imminent network disruption
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- detecting an imminent topology change;
identifying a new multicast distribution tree for a multicast group, in response to detection of the imminent topology change;
sending a join message towards a root of the new multicast distribution tree;
maintaining forwarding information subsequent to sending the join message, wherein the forwarding information identifies a current multicast distribution tree instead of the new multicast distribution tree;
continuing to forward multicast traffic addressed to the multicast group via the current multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message;
receiving a multicast packet addressed to the multicast group via the new multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message;
dropping the multicast packet in response to the forwarding information corresponding to the multicast group not identifying the new multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message; and
updating the forwarding information corresponding to the multicast group to identify the new multicast distribution tree, in response to the receiving;
whereinthe detecting, the identifying, the sending, the maintaining, the continuing to forward, the receiving, the dropping, and the updating are performed by a network device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various systems and methods for rerouting multicast traffic in response to detecting imminent network disruption are disclosed. One method involves detecting an imminent topology change and, in response, identifying a new multicast distribution tree for a multicast group. A join message for the multicast group is then sent towards a root of the new multicast distribution tree. Multicast traffic addressed to the multicast group continues to be forwarded via the current multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message. The multicast traffic is not forwarded via the new multicast distribution tree until one or more multicast data packets have been received via the new multicast distribution tree.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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detecting an imminent topology change; identifying a new multicast distribution tree for a multicast group, in response to detection of the imminent topology change; sending a join message towards a root of the new multicast distribution tree; maintaining forwarding information subsequent to sending the join message, wherein the forwarding information identifies a current multicast distribution tree instead of the new multicast distribution tree; continuing to forward multicast traffic addressed to the multicast group via the current multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message; receiving a multicast packet addressed to the multicast group via the new multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message; dropping the multicast packet in response to the forwarding information corresponding to the multicast group not identifying the new multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message; and updating the forwarding information corresponding to the multicast group to identify the new multicast distribution tree, in response to the receiving;
whereinthe detecting, the identifying, the sending, the maintaining, the continuing to forward, the receiving, the dropping, and the updating are performed by a network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A network device comprising:
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a processor; a non-transitory storage device for storing multicast state information comprising multicast routing information for a multicast group and multicast forwarding information for the multicast group, wherein the non-transitory storage device is coupled to the processor; and a control module coupled to access the multicast state information in the non-transitory storage device, wherein the control module is configured to; update the multicast routing information to identify a new multicast distribution tree for the multicast group, in response to detection of an imminent topology change; maintain the multicast forwarding information, wherein the multicast forwarding information identifies a current multicast distribution tree instead of the new multicast distribution tree; inhibit updating the multicast forwarding information to identify the new multicast distribution tree, until one or more multicast data packets are received via the new multicast distribution tree; drop the one or more multicast data packets in response to the multicast forwarding information not identifying the new multicast distribution tree; and update the multicast forwarding information associated with the multicast group to identify the new multicast distribution tree, in response to receiving the one or more multicast data packets via the new multicast distribution tree. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
a first network device, wherein the first network device is configured to; identify a new multicast distribution tree for a multicast group, in response to detection of an imminent topology change; send a join message towards a root of the new multicast distribution tree; maintain forwarding information subsequent to sending the join message, wherein the forwarding information identifies a current multicast distribution tree instead of the new multicast distribution tree; continue to forward multicast traffic addressed to the multicast group via the current multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message; receive a multicast packet addressed to the multicast group via the new multicast distribution tree; drop the multicast packet in response to the forwarding information for the multicast group not identifying the new multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join; and update the forwarding information for the multicast group to identify the new multicast distribution tree, in response to receiving the multicast packet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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non-transitory computer-readable storage means for storing forwarding information for a multicast group; means for identifying a new multicast distribution tree for the multicast group, in response to detection of an imminent topology change; means for sending a join message towards a root of the new multicast distribution tree; means for maintaining forwarding information subsequent to sending the join message, wherein the forwarding information identifies a current multicast distribution tree instead of the new multicast distribution tree; means for continuing to forward multicast traffic addressed to the multicast group via the current multicast distribution tree, subsequent to sending the join message; means for receiving a multicast packet addressed to the multicast group via the new multicast distribution tree; means for dropping the multicast packet in response to the forwarding information not identifying the new multicast distribution tree; and means for updating the forwarding information to identify the new multicast distribution tree, in response to receiving the multicast packet. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification