Method and apparatus for providing resource discovery using multicast scope

A method for locating an endpoint for setting up a connection, the method comprising:

• sending a first request message having a first selected scope to a known multicast group;
• setting a timer responsive to the first request message being sent;
• detecting whether a confirm message is received from an endpoint before the timer expires;
• terminating endpoint locating when a confirm message is received from an endpoint prior to the expiration of the timer;
• determining whether a scope increase is allowed when a confirm message is not received from an endpoint before the expiration of the timer;
• terminating endpoint locating when a scope increase is not allowed;
• increasing the scope to the second selected scope when a scope increase is allowed;
• resetting the timer;
• and
• sending a second request message having the second selected scope when a confirm message is not received from an endpoint in response to the first request message, the second selected scope being greater than the first selected scope.

An article of manufacture for providing resource discovery using multicast scope selection, the article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium having instructions for causing a processor to locate a resource for establishing a connection thereto according to a method, the method comprising:

• sending a first request message having a first selected scope;
• analyzing whether a confirm message is received from a discovered resource within the first selected scope in response to the first request message;
• and
• sending a second request message having a second selected scope when a confirm message is not received from a discovered resource in response to the first request message, the second selected scope being greater than the first selected scope.

A discoverer, comprising:

• a discovery unit;
• and
• an application, operatively coupled to the discovery unit, the application sending a notification to the discovery unit for locating an endpoint application;
• wherein the discovery unit sends a first request message having a first selected scope to a multicast group, analyzes whether a desired confirm message is received from an endpoint application in response to the first request message;
• and sends a second request message having a second selected scope when a desired confirm message is not received from the endpoint application in response to the first request message, the second selected scope being greater than the first selected scope.