Multi-ring IP multicast network and method using autonomous instances of interior gateway protocol (IGP)

An IP multicast ring network for distribution of data, comprising:

• a plurality of geographically diverse nodes;
• a plurality “N” ring networks, each network connecting the same plurality of nodes, each ring network including a clockwise ring and a counterclockwise ring, within each said ring each node connects to exactly two other nodes forming a single continuous path for data traffic;
• a plurality of sources;
• a plurality of receivers;
• a plurality of core routers connected at respective nodes to each of the “N” ring networks, each said core router connected to at least one of the source or one of the receivers, said core routers configured to implement IP multicasting for one source to multiple receiver communication over the network in which IP multicast join requests from the receivers to an IP multicast group address constructs a IP multicast distribution tree for that group as each join request traverses the nodes in the network according to IGP tables at each node to the source, the source broadcasts data traffic that traverses the network according to the IP multicast distribution tree with the routers replicating the data traffic as needed to reach the requesting receivers;
• “N” instances of an Internet Gateway Protocol (IGP) implemented by the core routers, each said IGP instance autonomously configured on a different ring network to provide autonomous routing services within each said ring network and service separation between the ring networks, each said IGP instance announcing the one or more sources that are mapped on the associated ring network, each said source announced in one and only one IGP instance so that the source is mapped on one and only one ring network with at least one source mapped to each said IGP instance and ring network, said core routers configured to share the “N” IGP instances to build the IGP table at each node that maps each source destination to its associated ring network and a next node to send the join request;
• and
• an “N+1” instance of the IGP implemented by core routers connected to a receiver that merges and redistributes the “N” instances of the IGP towards the receivers so that distribution or access routers between the core router and the receiver can build their IGP tables with a single IGP instance allowing each of the receivers to access any source connected to the network.

An IP multicast ring network for distribution of data, comprising:

• a plurality of geographically diverse nodes;
• a plurality “N” optical fiber rings that connect the same nodes into N physically separate bi-directional ring networks;
• a plurality of core routers connected at respective nodes to each of the “N” ring networks;
• “N” instances of an Internet Gateway Protocol (IGP) implemented by the core routers, each said IGP instance autonomously configured on a different ring network to provide autonomous routing services within each said ring networks and service separation between ring networks,
• each said IGP instance announcing one or more sources that are mapped on the associated ring network, each said source announced in one and only one IGP instance so that the source is mapped on one and only one ring network with at least one source mapped to each said IGP instance and ring network;
• and
• an “N+1” instance of the IGP implemented by core routers connected to a receiver that merges and redistributes the “N” instances of the IGP towards the receivers allowing each of the receivers to access any source connected to the network;
• wherein said “N” IGP instances contain a failure of a ring network within that network by preventing migration of data traffic from the failed ring network to other ring networks.

A method of data distribution in an IP multicast ring network, comprising:

• connecting a plurality of geographically diverse nodes into a plurality “N” bi-directional ring networks;
• connecting a plurality of core routers at respective nodes to each of the N ring networks;
• mapping each of a plurality of sources to one and only one of the N ring networks;
• implementing “N” instances of an Internet Gateway Protocol (IGP) on the core routers, each said IGP instance autonomously configured on a different ring network to provide autonomous routing services within each said bi-directional network and service separation between ring networks, each said IGP instance announcing one or more of the sources that are mapped on the associated ring network, each said source announced in one and only one IGP instance so that the source is mapped on one and only one ring network;
• implementing an “N+1” instance of the IGP on core routers connected to a receiver that merges and redistributes the “N” instances of the IGP towards the receivers allowing each of the receivers to access any source connected to the network;
• implementing a single IGP instance having reachability information to all the other sources in the network on one or more distribution and access routers connected between at least one said core router and at least one receiver;
• and
• implementing the IGP on which a source is mapped on one or more distribution and access routers connected between at least one said core router and the source.

A method of increasing capacity of an IP multicast ring network in which optical fiber connects a plurality of core routers at geographically diverse nodes into a first bi-directional ring network running a first instance of an Internet Gateway Protocol (IGP), comprising:

• installing optical fibers that connect the same plurality of core routers at the same geographically diverse nodes to form a second bi-directional ring network;
• mapping each of a plurality of sources to one and only one of the first or second ring networks;
• implementing a second instance of IGP on the core routers, said first and second IGP instances autonomously configured on said first and second bi-directional ring networks to provide service separation between ring networks, each said IGP instance announcing one or more of the sources that are mapped on the associated ring network, each said source announced in one and only one IGP instance so that the source is mapped on one and only one ring network;
• and
• implementing third instance of the IGP on core routers connected to a receiver that merges and redistributes the first and second instances of the IGP towards the receivers allowing each of the receivers to access any source connected to the network;
• implementing a single IGP instance having reachability information to all the other sources in the network on one or more distribution and access routers connected between at least one said core router and at least one receiver;
• and
• implementing the IGP on which a source is mapped on one or more distribution and access routers connected between at least one said core router and the source.