US 6,097,720 A · Enabling multicast distribution efficiencies in a dialup access environment

Abstract

In a network having one or more intermediate devices coupled to end stations by respective links, and including a multicast source end station such as a remote access server for an Internet service provider, and a plurality of multicast receiving end stations, such as customer premises equipment CPE, coupled to an intermediate device in the network, a method for distributing multicast distribution functions to the intermediate device is described. The method comprises establishing point-to-point sessions between the source end station and the plurality of receiving end stations according to a communication protocol such as the PPP. Also, a point-to-point session is established between the multicast source end station and the intermediate device by which the source end station feeds multicast messages to the intermediate device that are directed to a set of multicast groups. The method involves transmitting from end stations in the plurality of receiving end stations to the intermediate device respective multicast join messages. The multicast join messages include information identifying one or more multicast groups for the respective receiving end stations to join. In this way, the intermediate device is enabled to forward multicast messages directed to a particular multicast group in the set of multicast groups to the receiving end stations which have joined the particular multicast group.

Claims22

Dependent claims

In a system including a network having one or more intermediate devices coupled to end stations by respective links, including a multicast source end station and a plurality of multicast receiving end stations coupled to an intermediate device in the network, a method for distributing multicast distribution functions to the intermediate device, comprising:

establishing point-to-point sessions between the source end station and the plurality of receiving end stations according to a communication protocol;
establishing a point-to-point session between the source end station and the intermediate device by which the source end station feeds multicast messages to the intermediate device directed to a set of multicast groups;
transmitting from end stations in the plurality of receiving end stations to the intermediate device respective multicast join messages, the multicast join messages including information identifying one or more multicast groups for the respective receiving end stations to join, so that the intermediate device is enabled to forward multicast messages directed to a particular multicast group in the set of multicast groups to the receiving end stations which have joined the particular multicast group;
and
forwarding multicast messages received at the intermediate station in the point-to-point session between the multicast source and the intermediate device, and directed to a particular multicast group in the set of multicast groups from the intermediate device to the receiving end stations which have joined the particular multicast group.

2 more elements

establishing point-to-point sessions between the source end station and the plurality of receiving end stations according to a Point-to Point Protocol PPP;
establishing a point-to-point session between the source end station and the intermediate device by which the source end station feeds multicast messages to the intermediate device directed to a set of multicast groups;
transmitting from end stations in the plurality of receiving end stations to the intermediate device respective multicast join messages in packets formatted according to the PPP in band of the point-to-point sessions between the source end station and the plurality of receiving end stations, the multicast join messages including information identifying one or more multicast groups for the respective receiving end stations to join, so that the intermediate device is enabled to forward multicast messages directed to a particular multicast group in the set of multicast groups to the receiving end stations which have joined the particular multicast group;
monitoring at the intermediate device packets formatted according to the PPP of the point-to-point sessions between the source end station and the plurality of receiving end stations to detect the multicast join messages;
and
forwarding multicast messages received at the intermediate station in the point-to-point session between the multicast source and the intermediate device, and directed to a particular multicast group in the set of multicast groups from the intermediate device to the receiving end stations which have joined the particular multicast group in band of the sessions point-to-point sessions between the source end station and the plurality of receiving end stations.

3 more elements

In a system including a network having one or more intermediate devices coupled to end stations by respective links, including a multicast source end station and a plurality of multicast receiving end stations coupled to a intermediate device in the network, a method for distributing multicast distribution functions to the intermediate device, comprising:

establishing a point-to-point session with the source end station and receiving end station according to a communication protocol;
transmitting, in-band of the point-to-point session with the source end station and receiving end station, from the receiving end station to the intermediate device a multicast join message, the multicast join message including information identifying a particular multicast group for the receiving end station to join, so that the intermediate device is enabled to forward multicast messages from the source end station and directed to a particular multicast group to the receiving end station.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Enabling multicast distribution efficiencies in a dialup access environment

Life of this patent

Enabling multicast distribution efficiencies in a dialup access environment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22