Protocol for multicasting in a low bandwidth network

摘要

A modified protocol independent multicast (M-PIM) routing protocol is an improvement to protocol independent multicast (PIM) routing protocol. M-PIM is optimized for use with at least one low bandwidth multi-hop network. The improvement comprises at least one modification to PIM that facilitates the transport of multicast traffic in a multi-layer routing system.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a computing device configured to facilitate the transport of multicast traffic in a first network, the first network being a low bandwidth multi-hop network having at least one interface to a second network that is configured to transport multicast traffic according to a protocol independent multicast (PIM) routing protocol; wherein the first network operates according to a modified protocol independent multicast (M-PIM) routing protocol that includes at least one modification of PIM, the modification being an optimization for low bandwidth multi-hop networks; whereby the first network operates as a transit network for the second network to facilitate the transport of multicast traffic; and wherein the at least one modification is a modification to PIM dense mode (PIM-DM) and wherein the at least one modification comprises a specification for group-independent ASSERT messages, thereby reducing the bandwidth consumed by group-specific ASSERT messages in the first network; or wherein the first network includes multiple entry points and the at least one modification comprises a specification for electing a single entry point to the first network based exclusively on the use of JOIN/PRUNE messages, thereby reducing the consumption of bandwidth in the first network.