Multicast service in virtual networks
US9374270B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L41/40
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques are described to provide multicast service within a virtual network using a virtual network controller and endpoint replication without requiring multicast support in the underlying network. The virtual network controller is configured to create a multicast tree for endpoint devices of a multicast group in the virtual network at a centralized location instead of in a distributed fashion. The virtual network controller communicates the multicast tree to one or more of the endpoint devices of the multicast group to instruct the endpoint devices to replicate and forward multicast packets to other endpoint devices according to the multicast tree. The replication and forwarding of multicast packets is performed by virtual switches executed on the endpoint devices in the virtual network. No replication is performed within the underlying network. The techniques enable multicast service within a virtual network without requiring multicast support in the underlying network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.