Reliable multicast communication

A method performed by a node, the method comprising:

• receiving a multicast message sent to a plurality of nodes by a sender, the multicast message including as its destination address a multicast address corresponding to the plurality of nodes with the multicast message also including an indication of at least one designated acknowledgement node of the plurality of nodes;
• said at least one designated acknowledgement node designating less than all of the plurality of nodes;
• wherein the indication of said at least one designated acknowledgement node is distinct from the multicast address;
• and wherein the multicast address is a non-broadcast address and is a single address for the plurality of nodes;
• and
• in response to identifying that the indication of at least one designated acknowledgement node includes the node, sending an acknowledgement message to the sender of the multicast message.

An apparatus for distributing information, the apparatus comprising:

• means for identifying one or more of a plurality of nodes to acknowledge a multicast message, the multicast message including as its destination address a multicast address corresponding to the plurality of nodes, wherein the multicast address is a non-broadcast, single address for the plurality of nodes;
• and
• means for sending the multicast message to the plurality of nodes, the multicast message including an indication of said one or more but less than all of the plurality of nodes to acknowledge the multicast message;
• wherein the multicast address is distinct from the indication of said one or more but less than all of the plurality of nodes to acknowledge the multicast message.

A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing steps for distributing information, said steps comprising:

• identifying one or more but less than all of a plurality of nodes to acknowledge a multicast message, the multicast message including as its destination address a multicast address corresponding to the plurality of nodes, wherein the multicast address is a single address for the plurality of nodes;
• and
• sending the multicast message to the plurality of nodes, the multicast message including an indication of said one or more but less than all of the plurality of nodes to acknowledge the multicast message;
• wherein the multicast address is distinct from the indication of said one or more of the plurality of nodes to acknowledge the multicast message.

A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing steps by a node, said steps comprising:

• receiving a multicast message sent to a plurality of nodes by a sender, the multicast message including as its destination address a multicast address corresponding to the plurality of nodes and being a non-broadcast address, and the multicast message also including an indication of at least one designated acknowledgement node of the plurality of nodes;
• said at least one designated acknowledgement node designating less than all of the plurality of nodes;
• and the indication of at least one designated acknowledgement node being distinct from the multicast address;
• wherein the multicast address is a single address for the plurality of nodes;
• and
• in response to identifying that the indication of at least one designated acknowledgement node includes the node, sending an acknowledgement message to the sender of the multicast message.

A method for distributing information, the method comprising:

• identifying one or more of a plurality of nodes to acknowledge a multicast message, the multicast message includes an indication of whether to immediately acknowledge or delay acknowledgement of the multicast message;
• and setting the indication of whether to immediately acknowledge or delay acknowledgement to indicate immediate acknowledgment if the multicast message is the first message of a messaging window;
• and
• sending the multicast message to the plurality of nodes, the multicast message including an indication of said one or more of the plurality of nodes to acknowledge the message.

A method for distributing information, the method comprising:

• identifying one or more but less than all of a plurality of nodes to acknowledge a message, the message including as its destination address a multicast address corresponding to the plurality of nodes;
• wherein the multicast address is a single address for the plurality of nodes;
• and
• sending the message to the plurality of nodes, the message including an indication of said one or more but less than all of the plurality of nodes to acknowledge the message;
• wherein with the multicast address is distinct from the indication of said one or more but less than all of the plurality of nodes.