Multicast support for small groups
US6502140B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/48
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for multicasting data packets includes the steps of preparing at least one packet at a source node and transmitting the packet to at least one intermediate node. The packet includes a payload portion and multicast route information. The multicast route information includes information for use by the intermediate node to forward the packet to at least two destination nodes. According to another aspect of the invention, a method for multicasting data packets in a packet-based data network includes the step of transmitting an Internet Protocol (“IP”) packet from a source node to a first node. The IP packet includes an IP header and an IP payload containing an encapsulated multicast (EM) datagram, the EM datagram comprising an EM header and an EM payload. The EM header includes multicast routing information instructing the first node to transmit the EM payload to at least two second and third nodes. According to another embodiment, a system including various network nodes is adapted to implement the described method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.