Multicast system for forwarding desired multicast packets in a computer network
US7385977B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/185
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a downstream router to inform an upstream router by use of packets of a new router command protocol that the upstream router is to forward multicast packets of a specified group to the downstream router. First the downstream router transmits a HELLO packet to upstream router to inform the upstream router that the downstream router is a multicast router implementing the invention. Then, in the event that the downstream router receives a packet from an end station requesting multicast packets of a particular group, in response the downstream router sends a JOIN packet to the upstream router. The JOIN packet requests that the upstream router forward the requested group multicast packets to the downstream router. When a multicast group packet arrives at the upstream router, the upstream router forwards the packet to those downstream routers requesting that group.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.