Layered multicast and fair bandwidth allocation and packet prioritization

摘要

Embodiments include an overlay multicast network. The overlay multicast network may provide a set of features to ensure reliable and timely arrival of multicast data. The embodiments include a congestion control system that may prioritize designated layers of data within a data stream over other layers of the same data stream. Each data stream transmitted over the network may be given an equal share of the bandwidth. Addressing in routing tables maintained by routers may utilize summarized addressing based on the difference in location of the router and destination address. Summarization levels may be adjusted to minimize travel distances for packets in the network. Data from high priority data stream layers may also be retransmitted upon request from a destination machine to ensure reliable delivery of data.

主权项

1. A method of replacing lost packets within a data transmission network distributing packets from a source to a plurality of receivers through a plurality of connected nodes, each node including a buffer memory, said method comprising:
receiving a plurality of packets in a stream of data originating from said source at a first node within said network; detecting in the first node the loss of a packet from said received stream of data; sending from the first node to a preceding node in the plurality of connected nodes a request for retransmission of said missing packet, wherein the preceding node is upstream from the first node; determining, at the preceding node of said network in response to receipt of a retransmission request, whether the missing packet is contained within the buffer memory within said preceding node; and either forwarding the missing packet from the preceding node to the first node in response to the retransmission request if the packet is located in said buffer memory, or forwarding the retransmission request from the preceding node to an upstream node in a direction toward the source if the packet is not located in said buffer memory and said preceding node is not said source.