Method and apparatus for multicast of ATM cells where connections can be dynamically added or dropped

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a multicast system. The system comprises an ATM network. The system comprises a source connected to the ATM network. The system also comprises a first destination connected to the ATM network. The system comprises at least a second destination connected to the ATM network. Additionally, the system comprises a mechanism for adding or dropping connections dynamically between the first source and any destinations at any time. The present invention pertains to a method for multicasting ATM cells. The method comprises the steps of forming a first connection between a first source and a first destination for transmitting a first ATM cell therebetween. Next, there is be step of forming a second connection between the first source and a second destination while the first connection exists. Then there is the step of terminating the first connection while the second connection exists. The present invention pertains to a method for multicasting ATM cells. The method comprises the steps of forming a first connection between a first source and a first destination. Next there is the step of obtaining a first ATM cell to the transmitted out the first source. Next there is the step of forming a second connection between a first source and a second destination while the first connection exists and after the first ATM cell has been obtained.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.