Aggregation Switch Multicast On-Demand Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current TRILL networks face inefficiencies in multicast traffic management, particularly in IPTV scenarios, where static multicast methods lead to wasted link bandwidth due to inability to implement on-demand replication of multicast traffic between the aggregation switch (AGG) and the first multicast router.
Innovation Solution
A multicast communications method that compares multicast join information in GM LSP packets with stored information in the AGG, generating and sending IGMP or PIM packets to dynamically update forwarding entries in the first multicast router, enabling on-demand replication and optimizing bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If static multicast manner is used between AGG and first multicast router, then multicast traffic can be transmitted, but link bandwidth is wasted due to inability to implement on-demand replication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static multicast manner into a dynamic one by introducing comparison logic that detects changes in multicast join information. The AGG dynamically generates and sends preset-protocol packets only when changes are detected, enabling on-demand replication that adapts to actual network conditions and receiver needs, thereby eliminating continuous bandwidth waste while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the AGG continuously compares current multicast join information with previously stored information. This feedback loop enables the system to detect changes in receiver membership and dynamically adjust multicast traffic replication accordingly, sending protocol packets only when necessary to update the first multicast router's forwarding entries.
2Productivity
If GM LSP packet is sent in static multicast manner, then multicast stream can be delivered to receiver, but bandwidth efficiency is reduced due to continuous transmission regardless of actual demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous static multicast transmission with periodic action triggered by change detection. Instead of continuously sending GM LSP packets regardless of demand, the system periodically compares multicast join information and only transmits preset-protocol packets when actual changes occur, thereby improving delivery efficiency while reducing unnecessary bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The AGG performs self-service by autonomously comparing multicast join information and determining when protocol packets need to be sent. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous external control or static configuration, allowing the system to automatically optimize bandwidth usage based on actual multicast group membership changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention, which relate to the communications field, provide a multicast communications method and an aggregation switch, which can implement on-demand replication of multicast traffic. The method includes: acquiring, by an aggregation switch (AGG), a multicast group address link state protocol data unit (GM LSP) packet sent by an access switch (ACC); comparing multicast join information in the GM LSP packet with multicast join information stored in the AGG, to obtain a comparison result, and updating, according to the comparison result, the multicast join information stored in the AGG; generating, according to a preset format, a preset-protocol packet by using changed multicast join information in the comparison result, where the preset-protocol packet is an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) packet or a Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) packet; and sending the preset-protocol packet to a first multicast router. The multicast communications method and aggregation switch provided in the embodiments of the present invention are applied to multicast communications.