Performing multicast communication in computer networks by using overlay routing
First Claim
1. A computer-executed method comprising:
- a router device receiving data packets comprising a particular multicast data flow;
receiving bandwidth information about bandwidth for a network link over which the particular multicast data flow is to be sent;
based, at least in part, on one or more policies for the particular multicast data flow, transforming the particular multicast data flow to fit a bandwidth indicated in the bandwidth information to produce a transformed multicast data flow; and
transmitting the transformed multicast data flow over the network link.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider'"'"'s point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing. The result is an overlay multicast network that is effectively managed according to local network management policies. Application-level control can be applied to the transferred data at the overlay routers.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-executed method comprising:
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a router device receiving data packets comprising a particular multicast data flow; receiving bandwidth information about bandwidth for a network link over which the particular multicast data flow is to be sent; based, at least in part, on one or more policies for the particular multicast data flow, transforming the particular multicast data flow to fit a bandwidth indicated in the bandwidth information to produce a transformed multicast data flow; and transmitting the transformed multicast data flow over the network link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A computer-executed method comprising:
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a router device maintaining, for each application class of a plurality of application classes, a distinct set of one or more policies; the router device receiving data packets comprising a particular multicast data flow; determining that the particular multicast data flow includes data for a particular application class of the plurality of application classes; transforming the particular multicast data flow based, at least in part, on a set of one or more policies, maintained at the router device for the particular application class, to produce a transformed multicast data flow; and transmitting the transformed multicast data flow over a network link. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause performance of the steps of:
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a router device receiving data packets comprising a particular multicast data flow; receiving bandwidth information about bandwidth for a network link over which the particular multicast data flow is to be sent; based, at least in part, on one or more policies for the particular multicast data flow, transforming the particular multicast data flow to fit a bandwidth indicated in the bandwidth information to produce a transformed multicast data flow; and transmitting the transformed multicast data flow over the network link. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause performance of the steps of:
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a router device maintaining, for each application class of a plurality of application classes, a distinct set of one or more policies; the router device receiving data packets comprising a particular multicast data flow; determining that the particular multicast data flow includes data for a particular application class of the plurality of application classes; transforming the particular multicast data flow based, at least in part, on a set of one or more policies, maintained at the router device for the particular application class, to produce a transformed multicast data flow; and transmitting the transformed multicast data flow over a network link. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification