CA2287195A1 - System, device, and method for managing multicast group memberships in a multicast network - Google Patents
System, device, and method for managing multicast group memberships in a multicast network Download PDFInfo
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- CA2287195A1 CA2287195A1 CA002287195A CA2287195A CA2287195A1 CA 2287195 A1 CA2287195 A1 CA 2287195A1 CA 002287195 A CA002287195 A CA 002287195A CA 2287195 A CA2287195 A CA 2287195A CA 2287195 A1 CA2287195 A1 CA 2287195A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
- H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
- H04L12/185—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast with management of multicast group membership
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2801—Broadband local area networks
Abstract
A system (300, 400, 500), device (1200), and method (600) for managing multicast group memberships in a multicast network uses IGMP spoofing to consolidate the multicast group memberships of a number of multicast hosts into a single IGMP Host. The IGMP spoofing agent maintains a group list indicating the multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts. The IGMP spoofing agent establishes a multicast group membership with a remote multicast device when at least one of the number of mulicast hosts requests membership in the multicast group. The IGMP spoofing agent cancels the multicast group with the remote multicast device when all of the multicast hosts have left the multicast group. The IGMP spoofing agent responds to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the number of multicast hosts.
Description
System, Device, and Method For Managing Multicast Group Memberships in a Multicast Network Background 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to managing multicast group membership in a multicast network.
2. Discussion of Related Art In today's information age, there is an increasing demand for access to information using computer networking services such as 1 S the Internet. Certain types of information are suitable for use by multiple consumers, for example, news, financial information, and sports scores. These types of information can be packaged by a single producer and transmitted over the computer network to a large number of consumers.
A typical way for the producer to transmit the information to the consumers is to duplicate the information and send a copy to each consumer. However, if there are a large number of consumers, these individual transmissions can require a large amount of processing by the producer, and can also require a large amount of network bandwidth.
An improved way for the producer to transmit the information to the consumers is by a multicast service. The multicast service allows the producer to transmit a single message, which is then replicated by the network at appropriate points and delivered to each consumer that is a member of a multicast group. Replication is WO 98!48343 PCT/US98/04384 typically handled by routers in the network, and is done only when needed. For convenience, a router that supports the multicast service is referred to as a multicast router. An overview of IP multicasting can be found in an Internet Draft entitled Intr2duction to IP Multicast in by Semeria and Maufer, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
In order to support the multicast service, each multicast router typically supports at least one multicast routing protocol which is used for exchanging multicast group membership information between the various multicast routers in the network. At the present time, several multicast routing protocols exist. Examples of multicast routing protocols include Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP), Multicast Open Shortest Path First (MOSPF), and Protocol Independent Muiticasting (PIM).
In addition io supporting the multicast routing protocols, each multicast router that has directly connected LANs will typically support the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) as described in Appendix I of Internet RFC 1112 (IGMP Version 1 ) and in an Internet Draft entitled Internet Groua~ Management Protocol. Version 2 by Fenner (IGMP Version 2). A multicast router uses IGMP to learn which multicast groups have members on each of its attached physical networks. The multicast router maintains a database containing a list of multicast group memberships for each of its attached networks, where "multicast group membership" means the presence of at least one member of a multicast group on a given attached network. The multicast router does not maintain a list of all of the group members from its attached networks. For convenience, the list of multicast group memberships is referred to as the "group fist."
.._....~._.._ ~.~ __...~. ~.. . ... .. __ .. .~ .. ~ , t IGMP is used between the multicast router and its directly connected iP hosts (i.e., host computers on the directly connected LANs which support the IP protocol). Using IGMP, the IP hosts can join and leave multicast groups, and the multicast router can monitor the multicast group memberships of its IP hosts. For convenience, the multicast router directly connected to an IP host is referred to as the local router (from the perspective of the IP host), while the other routers in the network are referred to as remote routers.
IGMP defines a number of message types that can be exchanged between the local router and the IP hosts. The IGMP Query message is used by the local router to determine the multicast group memberships for its directly connected IP hosts. The IGMP
Membership Report message is sent by an IP host unsolicited when it wants to join a particular muiticast group and also in response to an IGMP Query message to report its continued membership in a particular multicast group. The IGMP Leave message is used by an IP
host to explicitly remove itself from a multicast group. For convenience, a device which sends IGMP Query messages (e.g., the local router) is referred to as an IGMP Querier, and a device which sends IGMP Membership Report messages and IGMP Leave messages (e.g., an IP host) is referred to as an IGMP Host.
The local router typically sends IGMP query messages to the IP
hosts to retrieve group membership information. IGMP defines two types of query messages, specifically a Genera! Query message and a Group-Specific Query message. The General Query message is sent to determine which (if any} of the available multicast groups have at least one member from the local router's directly connected 1P hosts.
In response to the General Query message, each IP host transmits an IGMP Membership Report message for each of its multicast group memberships. However, since each IP host is typically able to monitor the responses of other iP hosts on the same LAN, an IP host that detects a response from another li' host for a particular multicast group may not transmit an IGMP Membership Report message for that same group. Thus, the local router may receive a single IGMP Membership Report for each multicast group, even if multiple IP hosts are members of the same group.
The Group-Specific Query message is sent to determine if at least one of the directly connected lP hosts is a member of the specified multicast group. At least one 1P host that is a member of the specified group will respond to the Group-Specific Query message with an IGMP Membership Report message (again, as for the General Query message, an IP host that is a member of the specified group will only transmit a response if it has not detected a response from any other IP host in the group).
When an IP host wants to be removed from a particular multicast group, it stops reporting its membership in the group (i.e., it does not transmit an IGMP Membership Report for the particular group). By not transmitting an IGMP Membership Report message for a particular multicast group, the IP host implicitly requests removal from the group. An IP host that supports IGMP Version 2 can explicitly request removal from a multicast group by transmitting an IGMP Leave message to the local router. The IGMP Leave message informs the local router that the IP host is no longer a member of the multicast group, and, upon receiving the IGMP Leave message, the local router typically transmits an IGMP Group-Specific Query message to determine if at least one iP host remains a member of the multicast group.
A typical way for the producer to transmit the information to the consumers is to duplicate the information and send a copy to each consumer. However, if there are a large number of consumers, these individual transmissions can require a large amount of processing by the producer, and can also require a large amount of network bandwidth.
An improved way for the producer to transmit the information to the consumers is by a multicast service. The multicast service allows the producer to transmit a single message, which is then replicated by the network at appropriate points and delivered to each consumer that is a member of a multicast group. Replication is WO 98!48343 PCT/US98/04384 typically handled by routers in the network, and is done only when needed. For convenience, a router that supports the multicast service is referred to as a multicast router. An overview of IP multicasting can be found in an Internet Draft entitled Intr2duction to IP Multicast in by Semeria and Maufer, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
In order to support the multicast service, each multicast router typically supports at least one multicast routing protocol which is used for exchanging multicast group membership information between the various multicast routers in the network. At the present time, several multicast routing protocols exist. Examples of multicast routing protocols include Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP), Multicast Open Shortest Path First (MOSPF), and Protocol Independent Muiticasting (PIM).
In addition io supporting the multicast routing protocols, each multicast router that has directly connected LANs will typically support the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) as described in Appendix I of Internet RFC 1112 (IGMP Version 1 ) and in an Internet Draft entitled Internet Groua~ Management Protocol. Version 2 by Fenner (IGMP Version 2). A multicast router uses IGMP to learn which multicast groups have members on each of its attached physical networks. The multicast router maintains a database containing a list of multicast group memberships for each of its attached networks, where "multicast group membership" means the presence of at least one member of a multicast group on a given attached network. The multicast router does not maintain a list of all of the group members from its attached networks. For convenience, the list of multicast group memberships is referred to as the "group fist."
.._....~._.._ ~.~ __...~. ~.. . ... .. __ .. .~ .. ~ , t IGMP is used between the multicast router and its directly connected iP hosts (i.e., host computers on the directly connected LANs which support the IP protocol). Using IGMP, the IP hosts can join and leave multicast groups, and the multicast router can monitor the multicast group memberships of its IP hosts. For convenience, the multicast router directly connected to an IP host is referred to as the local router (from the perspective of the IP host), while the other routers in the network are referred to as remote routers.
IGMP defines a number of message types that can be exchanged between the local router and the IP hosts. The IGMP Query message is used by the local router to determine the multicast group memberships for its directly connected IP hosts. The IGMP
Membership Report message is sent by an IP host unsolicited when it wants to join a particular muiticast group and also in response to an IGMP Query message to report its continued membership in a particular multicast group. The IGMP Leave message is used by an IP
host to explicitly remove itself from a multicast group. For convenience, a device which sends IGMP Query messages (e.g., the local router) is referred to as an IGMP Querier, and a device which sends IGMP Membership Report messages and IGMP Leave messages (e.g., an IP host) is referred to as an IGMP Host.
The local router typically sends IGMP query messages to the IP
hosts to retrieve group membership information. IGMP defines two types of query messages, specifically a Genera! Query message and a Group-Specific Query message. The General Query message is sent to determine which (if any} of the available multicast groups have at least one member from the local router's directly connected 1P hosts.
In response to the General Query message, each IP host transmits an IGMP Membership Report message for each of its multicast group memberships. However, since each IP host is typically able to monitor the responses of other iP hosts on the same LAN, an IP host that detects a response from another li' host for a particular multicast group may not transmit an IGMP Membership Report message for that same group. Thus, the local router may receive a single IGMP Membership Report for each multicast group, even if multiple IP hosts are members of the same group.
The Group-Specific Query message is sent to determine if at least one of the directly connected lP hosts is a member of the specified multicast group. At least one 1P host that is a member of the specified group will respond to the Group-Specific Query message with an IGMP Membership Report message (again, as for the General Query message, an IP host that is a member of the specified group will only transmit a response if it has not detected a response from any other IP host in the group).
When an IP host wants to be removed from a particular multicast group, it stops reporting its membership in the group (i.e., it does not transmit an IGMP Membership Report for the particular group). By not transmitting an IGMP Membership Report message for a particular multicast group, the IP host implicitly requests removal from the group. An IP host that supports IGMP Version 2 can explicitly request removal from a multicast group by transmitting an IGMP Leave message to the local router. The IGMP Leave message informs the local router that the IP host is no longer a member of the multicast group, and, upon receiving the IGMP Leave message, the local router typically transmits an IGMP Group-Specific Query message to determine if at least one iP host remains a member of the multicast group.
_w~._...._.. .~,._.....~.__ ~ ~ . t WO 98/48343 PCTlUS98/04384 FIG. 1 shows a system 100 in which a multicast routing protocol is used between the focal router and the multicast network, and IGMP is used for dynamic group registration between the local router and a number of IP hosts (typically personal computers). The overall responsibility for maintaining group membership is divided between the local router and the IP host. The IP hosts act as IGMP
Hosts, and the local router acts as an IGMP Querier.
The current model for maintaining group membership across a multicast internetwork forces the local router to participate in one or more of the complicated multicast routing protocols in order to propagate group information to other multicast routers. The existing multicast routing protocols are complex, and, due to this complexity, have been changing frequently. This fact makes each protocol difficult to implement and maintain. Also, since no one protocol has 1 S been adopted as a standard for all routers, it is often necessary for a multicast router to support many of the protocols, which adds significant cost to the muter.
These same problems exist in a data-over-cable (DOC) system.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary DOC system in which a headend router (i.e., 20- local router) 210 is coupled to a plurality of cable modems 220, through 220 via a shared channel 230. Each headend router may support thousands of cable modems, with each cable modem representing a single LAN segment having at least one host. As in FIG. 1 above, the headend router must support multicast routing 25 protocols in order to exchange multicast group information over the multicast network.
Therefore, a need remains for a system, device, and method for ' offloading the multicast routing protocols from local routers in a multicast network.
s Brief Description of the Drawing in the Drawing, FIG. 1 shows a multicast network as is known in the art;
FIG. 2 shows a DOC system as is known in the art;
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary multicast system in which IGMP
spoofing in the local router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the local router;
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary DOC system in which 1GMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the headend router;
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary DOC system in which IGMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the multicast server and the headend router;
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for IGMP spoofing in a multicast network;
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP Membership Report message received from a multicast host by the )GMP spoofing agent;
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for monitoring the multicast group memberships by the IGMP spoofing agent;
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP Leave message received from a multicast host by the IGMP spoofing agent;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP General Query message received by the IGMP spoofing agent from the remote multicast device;
s _ ~ _ ~ . r FIG. 11 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP Group-Specific Query message received by the IGMP spoofing agent from the remote multicast device; and FIG. 12 shows a device for spoofing IGMP in a multicast S network.
Detailed Description As discussed above, the need remains for a system, device, and method for offloading the multicast routing protocols from local routers in a multicast network. The present invention works by replacing the multicast routing protocols in the local router with an IGMP spoofing agent. The local router continues to act as an IGMP
Querier on its host interfaces (i.e. on the local LAN connections to the directly connected IP hosts). However, instead of using a multicast routing protocol to exchange multicast group membership information with the remote router, the local router and remote router use IGMP.
The remote router takes on the functions of an IGMP Querier, while the IGMP spoofing agent in the local router takes on the functions of an 1GMP Host. The IGMP spoofing agent appears to the remote router as a single IGMP Host, and uses the multicast group membership information maintained by the local router to act as a proxy on behalf of its directly connected IP hosts. The IGMP spoofing agent joins a multicast group if at least one of its directly connected IP hosts is a member of the group, and leaves the multicast group when the last of its directly connected IP hosts leaves the group.
The drawing shows a number of applications for IGMP spoofing in a multicast network. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary multicast systam 300 in which IGMP spoofing in the local router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the local router. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary DOC system 400 in which IGMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the headend router. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary DOC system 500 in which iGMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the multicast server and the headend router. In these exemplary embodiments, the IGMP spoofing agent performs standard 1GMP Host functions in order to consolidate the muiticast group memberships for the multicast hosts and present them to the remote multicast device as a single IGMP Host.
IGMP spoofing reduces the cost and complexity of the local router, since the local router need not support any of the multicast routing protocols. IGMP spoofing can also reduce the cost and complexity of the remote multicast device (e.g., the remote router or server), which is only required to support IGMP on the network interface to the local router. If the remote multicast device is a multicast server, then the multicast server need not support any of the multicast routing protocols, so the cost and complexity of the multicast server is reduced.
A flow diagram for iGMP spoofing in a multicast network is shown in FIG. 6. The logic maintains a group fist indicating the multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts. When at least one of the multicast hosts requests membership in a multicast group, the logic establishes a multicast group membership with the remote multicast device on behalf of the multicast hosts. The logic maintains the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device so long as at least one of the muiticast hosts remains a member of the multicast group.
When all multicast hosts have left the multicast group, the logic cancels the multicast group membership with the remote multicast a T .._. r . ~.
WO 98!48343 PCTlUS98104384 device so that the remote muiticast device no longer sends multicast messages to the 1GMP spoofing agent. The logic also responds to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the number of multicast hosts.
When a multicast host requests membership in a multicast group, the IGMP spoofing agent checks the database to determine if the specified multicast group is in the group list. if the multicast group is in the group list, then no action is needed to add the multicast host to the group. However, if the multicast group is not in the group list, then the IGMP spoofing agent adds the rnulticast group to the group list and sends an IGMP Membership Report message to the remote multicast device specifying the multicast group.
A flow diagram for processing an IGMP Membership Report message received from a multicast host by the IGMP spoofing agent is shown in FIG. 7. The logic is the same whether the IGMP Membership Report message is received unsolicited or in response to an IGMP
Query message. The logic begins in step 710 and, upon receiving an IGMP Membership Report message from a multicast host in step 720, proceeds to step 730 where it checks the database to determine 20- whether the multicast group is in the group list. If the multicast group is not in the group list (NO in step 740), then the logic adds the multicast group to the group list, in step 750, and sends an IGMP
Membership Report message to the remote multicast device in order to request membership in the mufticast group, in step 760. The logic terminates in step 799.
The IGMP spoofing agent also monitors the multicast group memberships of its muiticast hosts by periodically sending status ' inquiries (i.e. iGMP Query messages) to the multicast hosts.
Specifically, the IGMP spoofing agent uses standard IGMP Querier functions to determine which (if any) of the multicast groups in the group list are no longer needed. For each unneeded group, the IGMP
spoofing agent deletes the group from the group list and, if iGMP
Version 2 is supported, sends an 1GMP Leave message to the remote muiticast device requesting removal from the multicast group.
A flow diagram for monitoring the multicast group memberships by the IGMP spoofing agent is shown in FIG. 8. The logic begins in step 810 and proceeds to step 820, where the logic uses standard IGMP Querier functions to determine which (if any) of the multicast groups in the group list are no longer needed. For each unneeded group (YES in step 830}, the logic deletes the group from the group list, in step 840, and sends an IGMP Leave message to the remote multicast device requesting removal from the multicast group (if IGMP Version 2 is supported), in step 850. When all unneeded groups have been removed from the group list (NO in step 830), the logic terminates in step 899.
As discussed above, multicast hosts that support IGMP Version 2 can explicitly request removal from a multicast group by sending an 1GMP Leave message to the local router. A flow diagram for processing an IGMP Leave message received from a multicast host by the IGMP spoofing agent is shown in FIG. 9. The logic begins in step 910 and, upon receiving an IGMP Leave message in step 920, proceeds to step 930 where it uses standard IGMP Querier functions to determine if at least one of the multicast hosts supported by the local router remains a member of the multicast group. If there are no remaining members in the multicast group (NO in step 940), then the logic deletes the multicast group from the group list, in step 950, and sends an IGMP Leave message to the remote multicast device ~o w......._-. _._._. _._. . . _ . ... ~ . . i .. T
WO 98/48343 PCTIiJS98/04384 requesting removal from the multicast group (if IGMP Version 2 is supported), in step 960. The logic terminates in step 999.
In addition to maintaining the status of multicast group memberships for the muiticast hosts, the IGMP spoofing agent also S responds to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the multicast hosts. The remote multicast device sends IGMP Query messages to the IGMP spoofing agent as part of its IGMP Querier functionality. The IGMP spoofing agent responds to the status inquiries using standard IGMP Membership Report messages.
A flow diagram for processing an IGMP General Query message received by the IGMP spoofing agent from the remote multicast device is shown in FIG. 10. The logic begins in step 1010 and, upon receiving an IGMP General Query message in step 1020, accesses the database to obtain the group list, in step 1030, and sends an IGMP
Membership Report message to the remote multicast device for each multicast group in the group list. The logic terminates in step 1099.
A flow diagram for processing an IGMP Group-Specific G~uery message received by the lGMP spoofing agent from the remote muiticast device is shown in FIG. 11. The logic begins in step 1110 and, upon receiving an IGMP Group-Specific Query message in step 1120, proceeds to step 1130 where it checks the database to determine if the specified multicast group is in the group list. If the multicast group is in the group list (YES in step 1140), then the logic sends an IGMP Membership Report message to the remote multicast device for the multicast group, in step 1150, and terminates in step 1 199.
FIG. i2 snows a device 1200 for spoofing IG~1P in a muiticast ' network. The device 1200 includes a network interface 12i 0 for interfacing with another multicast device (such as a remote multicast router or server) or a multicast network. The device 1200 also includes a host interface 1230 for interfacing with a number of multicast hosts. An IGMP spoofing agent 1220 performs IGMP Querier functions over the host interface 1230 for managing the multicast group memberships for the multicast hosts, and performs IGMP Host functions over the network interface 1210 for acting as a proxy on behalf of the multicast hosts. The iGMP spoofing agent 1220 maintains multicast group membership information for its attached multicast hosts in a database 1240 which is updated each time a group membership is established or canceled.
While the IGMP spoofing technique has been described as relating to the headend router of a DOC system or other local router, it will be apparent to a skilled artisan that the present invention can also be used in other devices such as a remote route r, a remote access server, or an IP switch. When the IGMP spoofing technique is used in a remote router, the remote router will manage the multicast group memberships for its directly attached local and remote routers that also support IGMP spoofing.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
What is claimed is:
i.
Hosts, and the local router acts as an IGMP Querier.
The current model for maintaining group membership across a multicast internetwork forces the local router to participate in one or more of the complicated multicast routing protocols in order to propagate group information to other multicast routers. The existing multicast routing protocols are complex, and, due to this complexity, have been changing frequently. This fact makes each protocol difficult to implement and maintain. Also, since no one protocol has 1 S been adopted as a standard for all routers, it is often necessary for a multicast router to support many of the protocols, which adds significant cost to the muter.
These same problems exist in a data-over-cable (DOC) system.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary DOC system in which a headend router (i.e., 20- local router) 210 is coupled to a plurality of cable modems 220, through 220 via a shared channel 230. Each headend router may support thousands of cable modems, with each cable modem representing a single LAN segment having at least one host. As in FIG. 1 above, the headend router must support multicast routing 25 protocols in order to exchange multicast group information over the multicast network.
Therefore, a need remains for a system, device, and method for ' offloading the multicast routing protocols from local routers in a multicast network.
s Brief Description of the Drawing in the Drawing, FIG. 1 shows a multicast network as is known in the art;
FIG. 2 shows a DOC system as is known in the art;
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary multicast system in which IGMP
spoofing in the local router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the local router;
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary DOC system in which 1GMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the headend router;
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary DOC system in which IGMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the multicast server and the headend router;
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for IGMP spoofing in a multicast network;
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP Membership Report message received from a multicast host by the )GMP spoofing agent;
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for monitoring the multicast group memberships by the IGMP spoofing agent;
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP Leave message received from a multicast host by the IGMP spoofing agent;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP General Query message received by the IGMP spoofing agent from the remote multicast device;
s _ ~ _ ~ . r FIG. 11 is a flow diagram for processing an IGMP Group-Specific Query message received by the IGMP spoofing agent from the remote multicast device; and FIG. 12 shows a device for spoofing IGMP in a multicast S network.
Detailed Description As discussed above, the need remains for a system, device, and method for offloading the multicast routing protocols from local routers in a multicast network. The present invention works by replacing the multicast routing protocols in the local router with an IGMP spoofing agent. The local router continues to act as an IGMP
Querier on its host interfaces (i.e. on the local LAN connections to the directly connected IP hosts). However, instead of using a multicast routing protocol to exchange multicast group membership information with the remote router, the local router and remote router use IGMP.
The remote router takes on the functions of an IGMP Querier, while the IGMP spoofing agent in the local router takes on the functions of an 1GMP Host. The IGMP spoofing agent appears to the remote router as a single IGMP Host, and uses the multicast group membership information maintained by the local router to act as a proxy on behalf of its directly connected IP hosts. The IGMP spoofing agent joins a multicast group if at least one of its directly connected IP hosts is a member of the group, and leaves the multicast group when the last of its directly connected IP hosts leaves the group.
The drawing shows a number of applications for IGMP spoofing in a multicast network. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary multicast systam 300 in which IGMP spoofing in the local router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the local router. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary DOC system 400 in which IGMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the remote router and the headend router. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary DOC system 500 in which iGMP spoofing in the headend router allows IGMP to be used between the multicast server and the headend router. In these exemplary embodiments, the IGMP spoofing agent performs standard 1GMP Host functions in order to consolidate the muiticast group memberships for the multicast hosts and present them to the remote multicast device as a single IGMP Host.
IGMP spoofing reduces the cost and complexity of the local router, since the local router need not support any of the multicast routing protocols. IGMP spoofing can also reduce the cost and complexity of the remote multicast device (e.g., the remote router or server), which is only required to support IGMP on the network interface to the local router. If the remote multicast device is a multicast server, then the multicast server need not support any of the multicast routing protocols, so the cost and complexity of the multicast server is reduced.
A flow diagram for iGMP spoofing in a multicast network is shown in FIG. 6. The logic maintains a group fist indicating the multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts. When at least one of the multicast hosts requests membership in a multicast group, the logic establishes a multicast group membership with the remote multicast device on behalf of the multicast hosts. The logic maintains the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device so long as at least one of the muiticast hosts remains a member of the multicast group.
When all multicast hosts have left the multicast group, the logic cancels the multicast group membership with the remote multicast a T .._. r . ~.
WO 98!48343 PCTlUS98104384 device so that the remote muiticast device no longer sends multicast messages to the 1GMP spoofing agent. The logic also responds to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the number of multicast hosts.
When a multicast host requests membership in a multicast group, the IGMP spoofing agent checks the database to determine if the specified multicast group is in the group list. if the multicast group is in the group list, then no action is needed to add the multicast host to the group. However, if the multicast group is not in the group list, then the IGMP spoofing agent adds the rnulticast group to the group list and sends an IGMP Membership Report message to the remote multicast device specifying the multicast group.
A flow diagram for processing an IGMP Membership Report message received from a multicast host by the IGMP spoofing agent is shown in FIG. 7. The logic is the same whether the IGMP Membership Report message is received unsolicited or in response to an IGMP
Query message. The logic begins in step 710 and, upon receiving an IGMP Membership Report message from a multicast host in step 720, proceeds to step 730 where it checks the database to determine 20- whether the multicast group is in the group list. If the multicast group is not in the group list (NO in step 740), then the logic adds the multicast group to the group list, in step 750, and sends an IGMP
Membership Report message to the remote multicast device in order to request membership in the mufticast group, in step 760. The logic terminates in step 799.
The IGMP spoofing agent also monitors the multicast group memberships of its muiticast hosts by periodically sending status ' inquiries (i.e. iGMP Query messages) to the multicast hosts.
Specifically, the IGMP spoofing agent uses standard IGMP Querier functions to determine which (if any) of the multicast groups in the group list are no longer needed. For each unneeded group, the IGMP
spoofing agent deletes the group from the group list and, if iGMP
Version 2 is supported, sends an 1GMP Leave message to the remote muiticast device requesting removal from the multicast group.
A flow diagram for monitoring the multicast group memberships by the IGMP spoofing agent is shown in FIG. 8. The logic begins in step 810 and proceeds to step 820, where the logic uses standard IGMP Querier functions to determine which (if any) of the multicast groups in the group list are no longer needed. For each unneeded group (YES in step 830}, the logic deletes the group from the group list, in step 840, and sends an IGMP Leave message to the remote multicast device requesting removal from the multicast group (if IGMP Version 2 is supported), in step 850. When all unneeded groups have been removed from the group list (NO in step 830), the logic terminates in step 899.
As discussed above, multicast hosts that support IGMP Version 2 can explicitly request removal from a multicast group by sending an 1GMP Leave message to the local router. A flow diagram for processing an IGMP Leave message received from a multicast host by the IGMP spoofing agent is shown in FIG. 9. The logic begins in step 910 and, upon receiving an IGMP Leave message in step 920, proceeds to step 930 where it uses standard IGMP Querier functions to determine if at least one of the multicast hosts supported by the local router remains a member of the multicast group. If there are no remaining members in the multicast group (NO in step 940), then the logic deletes the multicast group from the group list, in step 950, and sends an IGMP Leave message to the remote multicast device ~o w......._-. _._._. _._. . . _ . ... ~ . . i .. T
WO 98/48343 PCTIiJS98/04384 requesting removal from the multicast group (if IGMP Version 2 is supported), in step 960. The logic terminates in step 999.
In addition to maintaining the status of multicast group memberships for the muiticast hosts, the IGMP spoofing agent also S responds to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the multicast hosts. The remote multicast device sends IGMP Query messages to the IGMP spoofing agent as part of its IGMP Querier functionality. The IGMP spoofing agent responds to the status inquiries using standard IGMP Membership Report messages.
A flow diagram for processing an IGMP General Query message received by the IGMP spoofing agent from the remote multicast device is shown in FIG. 10. The logic begins in step 1010 and, upon receiving an IGMP General Query message in step 1020, accesses the database to obtain the group list, in step 1030, and sends an IGMP
Membership Report message to the remote multicast device for each multicast group in the group list. The logic terminates in step 1099.
A flow diagram for processing an IGMP Group-Specific G~uery message received by the lGMP spoofing agent from the remote muiticast device is shown in FIG. 11. The logic begins in step 1110 and, upon receiving an IGMP Group-Specific Query message in step 1120, proceeds to step 1130 where it checks the database to determine if the specified multicast group is in the group list. If the multicast group is in the group list (YES in step 1140), then the logic sends an IGMP Membership Report message to the remote multicast device for the multicast group, in step 1150, and terminates in step 1 199.
FIG. i2 snows a device 1200 for spoofing IG~1P in a muiticast ' network. The device 1200 includes a network interface 12i 0 for interfacing with another multicast device (such as a remote multicast router or server) or a multicast network. The device 1200 also includes a host interface 1230 for interfacing with a number of multicast hosts. An IGMP spoofing agent 1220 performs IGMP Querier functions over the host interface 1230 for managing the multicast group memberships for the multicast hosts, and performs IGMP Host functions over the network interface 1210 for acting as a proxy on behalf of the multicast hosts. The iGMP spoofing agent 1220 maintains multicast group membership information for its attached multicast hosts in a database 1240 which is updated each time a group membership is established or canceled.
While the IGMP spoofing technique has been described as relating to the headend router of a DOC system or other local router, it will be apparent to a skilled artisan that the present invention can also be used in other devices such as a remote route r, a remote access server, or an IP switch. When the IGMP spoofing technique is used in a remote router, the remote router will manage the multicast group memberships for its directly attached local and remote routers that also support IGMP spoofing.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
What is claimed is:
i.
Claims (10)
1. A method (600) for managing multicast group memberships between a remote multicast device and a number of multicast hosts in a multicast network, the method comprising the steps of:
maintaining (620) a group list indicating the multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts;
establishing (630) a multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when at least one of the number of multicast hosts requests membership in the multicast group; and canceling (640) the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when all of the multicast hosts have left the multicast group.
maintaining (620) a group list indicating the multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts;
establishing (630) a multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when at least one of the number of multicast hosts requests membership in the multicast group; and canceling (640) the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when all of the multicast hosts have left the multicast group.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device comprises the steps of:
receiving (720) from a multicast host a membership report message specifying one of a plurality of multicast groups;
determining (730) if the specified multicast group is in the group list; and where the specified multicast group is absent from the group list:
adding (750) the specified multicast group to the group fist; and sending (760) a membership report message to the remote multicast device specifying the multicast group.
receiving (720) from a multicast host a membership report message specifying one of a plurality of multicast groups;
determining (730) if the specified multicast group is in the group list; and where the specified multicast group is absent from the group list:
adding (750) the specified multicast group to the group fist; and sending (760) a membership report message to the remote multicast device specifying the multicast group.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of canceling the muiticast group membership with the remote multicast device comprises the steps of:
sending (820) a status inquiry to the number of multicast hosts;
receiving (820) a membership report for the multicast group from at least one of the number of multicast hosts if the multicast group is needed;
deleting (840) the multicast group from the group list if no membership report is received for the multicast group; and where selected, sending (850) to the remote multicast device a request to leave the multicast group after deleting the multicast group from the group list.
sending (820) a status inquiry to the number of multicast hosts;
receiving (820) a membership report for the multicast group from at least one of the number of multicast hosts if the multicast group is needed;
deleting (840) the multicast group from the group list if no membership report is received for the multicast group; and where selected, sending (850) to the remote multicast device a request to leave the multicast group after deleting the multicast group from the group list.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of canceling the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device comprises the steps of:
receiving (920) from a multicast host a request to leave a specified multicast group;
determining (930) if at least one of the plurality of multicast hosts remains a member of the specified multicast group;
where at least one of the plurality of multicast hosts remains a member of the specified multicast group, leaving the specified multicast group in the group list;
where none of the plurality of multicast hosts remains a member of the specified multicast group, deleting (950) the specified multicast group from the group list; and where selected, sending (960) to the remote multicast device a request to leave the multicast group after deleting the multicast group from the group list.
receiving (920) from a multicast host a request to leave a specified multicast group;
determining (930) if at least one of the plurality of multicast hosts remains a member of the specified multicast group;
where at least one of the plurality of multicast hosts remains a member of the specified multicast group, leaving the specified multicast group in the group list;
where none of the plurality of multicast hosts remains a member of the specified multicast group, deleting (950) the specified multicast group from the group list; and where selected, sending (960) to the remote multicast device a request to leave the multicast group after deleting the multicast group from the group list.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
responding (650) to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the number of multicast hosts.
responding (650) to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the number of multicast hosts.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of responding to status inquiries from the remote multicast device comprises the steps of:
receiving (1020, 1120) from the remote multicast device a query message requesting the status of at least one multicast group membership;
where the query message requests the status of all multicast group memberships, sending (1040) a membership report message to the remote multicast device for each multicast group in the group list;
where the query message requests the status of a specified multicast group membership, checking (1130) the database to determine if the specified multicast group is in the group list and sending (1150) a membership report message to the remote multicast device for the specified multicast group if the specified multicast group is in the group list.
receiving (1020, 1120) from the remote multicast device a query message requesting the status of at least one multicast group membership;
where the query message requests the status of all multicast group memberships, sending (1040) a membership report message to the remote multicast device for each multicast group in the group list;
where the query message requests the status of a specified multicast group membership, checking (1130) the database to determine if the specified multicast group is in the group list and sending (1150) a membership report message to the remote multicast device for the specified multicast group if the specified multicast group is in the group list.
7. A device (1200) for managing multicast group memberships for a number of multicast hosts in a multicast network, the device comprising:
a network interface (1210) for interfacing with the multicast network;
a host interface (1230) for interfacing with the number of multicast hosts;
a database (1240) for storing multicast group membership information; and an IGMP spoofing agent (1220) supporting both IGMP Host functionality and IGMP Querier functionality; wherein;
the IGMP spoofing agent is operably coupled to the database for maintaining multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts;
the IGMP spoofing agent is operably coupled to the network interface for supporting the IGMP Host functionality; and the IGMP spoofing agent is operably coupled to the host interface for supporting the IGMP Querier functionality.
a network interface (1210) for interfacing with the multicast network;
a host interface (1230) for interfacing with the number of multicast hosts;
a database (1240) for storing multicast group membership information; and an IGMP spoofing agent (1220) supporting both IGMP Host functionality and IGMP Querier functionality; wherein;
the IGMP spoofing agent is operably coupled to the database for maintaining multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts;
the IGMP spoofing agent is operably coupled to the network interface for supporting the IGMP Host functionality; and the IGMP spoofing agent is operably coupled to the host interface for supporting the IGMP Querier functionality.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the IGMP spoofing agent comprises:
logic for maintaining a group list indicating the multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts;
logic for establishing a multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when at least one of the number of multicast hosts requests membership in the multicast group; and logic for canceling the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when all of the multicast hosts have left the multicast group.
logic for maintaining a group list indicating the multicast group membership status for the number of multicast hosts;
logic for establishing a multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when at least one of the number of multicast hosts requests membership in the multicast group; and logic for canceling the multicast group membership with the remote multicast device when all of the multicast hosts have left the multicast group.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the IGMP spoofing agent further comprises:
logic for responding to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the number of multicast hosts.
logic for responding to status inquiries from the remote multicast device as a proxy on behalf of the number of multicast hosts.
10. A system (300, 400, 500) for managing multicast group memberships in a multicast network, the system comprising:
a remote multicast device supporting IGMP Querier functionality;
at least one multicast host supporting IGMP Host functionality;
and a local multicast device, operably coupled to the remote multicast device for supporting IGMP Host functionality and operably coupled to the at least one multicast host for supporting IGMP
Querier functionality.
a remote multicast device supporting IGMP Querier functionality;
at least one multicast host supporting IGMP Host functionality;
and a local multicast device, operably coupled to the remote multicast device for supporting IGMP Host functionality and operably coupled to the at least one multicast host for supporting IGMP
Querier functionality.
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| PCT/US1998/004384 WO1998048343A1 (en) | 1997-04-23 | 1998-03-06 | System, device, and method for managing multicast group memberships in a multicast network |
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| JP4080599B2 (en) * | 1998-06-17 | 2008-04-23 | 富士通株式会社 | Communication control apparatus and communication control method applied to multicast-compatible LAN |
| US6741575B1 (en) * | 1999-02-26 | 2004-05-25 | Hughes Electronics Corporation | Apparatus and method for efficient delivery of multicast data over personal access communications system (PACS) |
| KR20010045237A (en) * | 1999-11-03 | 2001-06-05 | 오길록 | Management method of the group membership in the internet multicast applications |
| US6647020B1 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2003-11-11 | Motorola, Inc. | Methods for implementing a talkgroup call in a multicast IP network |
| DE60141695D1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2010-05-12 | Network Appliance Inc | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SAFE AND SCALABLE TRANSFER OF DATA FILES IN DISTRIBUTED NETWORKS |
| US6718361B1 (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2004-04-06 | Network Appliance Inc. | Method and apparatus for reliable and scalable distribution of data files in distributed networks |
| US7133922B1 (en) * | 2000-08-07 | 2006-11-07 | The Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology | Method and apparatus for streaming of data |
| FR2816469B1 (en) * | 2000-11-06 | 2003-09-12 | Cit Alcatel | TELECOMMUNICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM USING INTERNET PROTOCOL FOR BROADCASTING MULTI-DESTINATION MESSAGES |
| US7177318B2 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2007-02-13 | Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. | Method and apparatus for managing multicast data on an IP subnet |
| EP1335521A3 (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2004-03-10 | Alcatel | Method and device for managing multicast groups |
| US7272652B1 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2007-09-18 | Alcatel Lucent | Facilitating accelerated processing of internet group management protocol messages |
| CN1323524C (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2007-06-27 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method for making data be directional transmitted in virtual local area network |
| US7532622B2 (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2009-05-12 | National University Of Singapore | Methods, devices and software for merging multicast groups in a packet switched network |
| DE10342029A1 (en) * | 2003-09-11 | 2005-04-07 | Siemens Ag | Method for a multicast service |
| CN100365987C (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2008-01-30 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method for logging-out invalid IGMP multicast port on router |
| WO2006001803A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2006-01-05 | Alloptic, Inc. | Distributed igmp processing |
| CN101044770B (en) * | 2004-08-16 | 2016-05-04 | 高通股份有限公司 | Be used for the method and apparatus of the membership for group of management group group communication |
| KR100570842B1 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2006-04-13 | 한국전자통신연구원 | Dynamic multicasting group management and service wavelength allocation method for communication and broadcasting converged service in wdm-pons |
| CN1852141A (en) | 2005-08-16 | 2006-10-25 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method for realizing upward link back-up |
| KR100744786B1 (en) * | 2005-11-03 | 2007-08-02 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | System and method for transmitting media stream |
| KR100740886B1 (en) * | 2005-12-09 | 2007-07-19 | 한국전자통신연구원 | Method for IPv6 Multicast based N-to-N Group Tutoring System in the Home Network |
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| CN101369994A (en) * | 2007-08-15 | 2009-02-18 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method, apparatus and system for implementing multicast group member management protocol proxy |
| US20090080356A1 (en) | 2007-09-24 | 2009-03-26 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Managing acknowledgment transmissions from multicast group members of a multicast group within a wireless communications network |
| CN101534206B (en) * | 2008-03-13 | 2011-12-21 | 华为技术有限公司 | Method and system for realizing multicast agent |
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- 1998-03-06 CN CN98804458A patent/CN1253641A/en active Pending
- 1998-03-06 KR KR1019997009765A patent/KR100358882B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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- 1998-03-06 WO PCT/US1998/004384 patent/WO1998048343A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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- 1998-03-06 JP JP54572598A patent/JP2001521716A/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-03-06 BR BR9815478-8A patent/BR9815478A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-03-12 TW TW087103671A patent/TW367449B/en active
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